Important to prevent infodemic, union health minister tells doctors

A medic conducts a test on passengers at the Birsa Munda International Airport in Ranchi Sunday. Pic/PTI

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday stressed the importance of preventing an infodemic and sharing only authentic and verified information on Covid-19, and urged doctors to educate the public on various aspects of the disease and its prevention and management.

While it is important to be alert and follow Covid-19-appropriate behaviour including wearing of masks, it is equally important to prevent an infodemic and share only authentic and verified information on the disease, he said during a virtual interaction about 100 doctors and members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) from across the country.

"The Union Ministry of Health has been sharing information on various aspects of Covid prevention and management. I urge everyone to access and share only verified information and encourage others to also do so," he said. He urged the doctors to continue to spread authentic information about Covid- 19. "You have been our ambassadors during the country's fight against Covid. I value your contribution and salute the selfless dedication and service of the healthcare professionals. I urge you to be our partners and ambassadors to prevent an infodemic by educating the public on various aspects of the disease and its prevention and management aspects," he said.

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Four foreigners found positive

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Masks compulsory in Karnataka

In the wake of a surge in Covid cases in several countries, wearing masks has been made compulsory inside restaurants, pubs, theatre halls, schools and colleges in Karnataka.

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