FAKE NEWS ALERT: Viral UNICEF notification on COVD-19

Social media has been rife with information on the deadly virus as fear grips citizens

The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) on Tuesday clarified that a viral message being spread on social media about information on the novel coronavirus using the UN agency's name was fake.

"Beware of misinformation. The message in this photo is NOT from UNICEF. The information it contains is not accurate," the clarification issued on Twitter reads.

⚠️ Beware of misinformation. The message in this photo is NOT from UNICEF. The information it contains is not accurate.

✅ Only take information on #Coronavirus / #COVID2019 from official platforms such as:@nhsrcofficial@UNICEF_Pakistan@WHOPakistan pic.twitter.com/mMrC6qjcu7

— UNICEF Pakistan (@UNICEF_Pakistan) March 16, 2020

It goes on to say that information on the novel virus which has sparked a global pandemic should be taken from official platforms such as the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.

Social media has been rife with information on the deadly virus as fear has gripped citizens.

It’s official now: Pakistan’s first COVID-19 patient dies in Mardan; nationwide cases rise to 294

Not only Pakistan but the entire world is trying to grapple with the spread of the deadly virus with over 204,000 cases reported the world over.

The deadly pneumonia-like disease, which surfaced in China’s Hubei province late December 2019 has caused over 7,900 deaths.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government confirmed Pakistan’s first COVID-19 death in Mardan, as the total number of novel coronavirus infections, with 19 fresh cases in Balochsitan, rose to 294 in the country on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old patient, identified as Saadat Khan, had arrived from Saudi Arabia on March 9, K-P CM’s Adviser on Information Ajmal Wazir said.

The deceased’s coronavirus test, he said, came positive yesterday (March 17). He hailed from Manga village, the adviser added.