Morocco Combats Coronavirus Rumors as Social Media Fuels Panic

The first rumor about the existence of the virus in Morocco was born from a 2-minute video filmed by a woman. It shows the elements of the security forces and civil protection disembarking in a Chinese restaurant in Fez, and transferring a patient to the city’s hospital. The author of the video claims that it is a case of coronavirus detected on the spot and that the victim would be a Chinese national. This was enough for panic to seize the populations, especially those of Fez, who live in fear, reports Al Ahdath Al Maghribia.

The ministry was quick to take the floor to reassure the populations that no case of the virus had been discovered. Even an official from the university hospital center in the city of Fez denied the existence of any coronavirus case, and stated that the person admitted to the hospital was only suffering from a simple flu. Another false case was "reported" in Chefchaouen, when a Chinese national, feeling dizzy and tired, went to the hospital for a diagnosis. After examination, it turned out that she had just caught a cold. The rumor spread, causing panic among the inhabitants.

A third rumor swelled, talking about two boats in the port of Safi, with Chinese people on board. According to the rumor, they would all be carriers of the virus. It took the authorities of the city to come and calm the populations who thought they were already exposed to a possible contamination.

It should be remembered that, according to the latest press release from the Ministry of Health, dated Wednesday, January 29, "no coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection has been recorded in Morocco yet. The three suspected cases detected by the National Epidemiological Monitoring and Surveillance System have been found to be suffering from seasonal flu."