Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has ordered the State Security Committee (KGB) to confront those who are spreading fake information about the novel coronavirus, the presidential press service reports.
“Save the speeches. We need to go over these websites and channels with a fine-tooth comb,” he said.
It is the unofficial information about the death of a woman in Vitsebsk that triggered Lukashenka’s outrage and strong words. According to the Belarusian leader, there was not a coronavirus case, but ‘certain people’ trumpeted her passing away to sow panic and distrust.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka urged the KGB to deal with the ‘crooks who plant fakes’.
Last week, a number of independent media outlets reported the death of a 58-year-old woman who was hospitalised with pneumonia. According to her family, she had been tested positive for COVID-19. The relative claim they were placed under quarantine after the coronavirus tests were taken from them.
Meanwhile, the Belarusian Health Ministry has refuted the reports about the first coronavirus death in the country. The ministry says the deceased woman suffered from diabetes, hypertension and chronic bronchitis.
By the moment, the number of the infected with COVID-19 has totalled to 81 in the country.
On March 16,Lukashenka shared with the newly appointed officials his own ways of fighting infections, including the novel coronavirus. He advised going to a dry sauna, claiming that the virus dies at 60 degrees; more frequent handwashing, regular diet, and… drinking some vodka are also on his list.
