District Commissioner (DC) for Dowa, Alex Mdooka, has said he was disturbed with fake rumours going around on social media claiming that a nine year old, Burundian girl was confirmed to have tested positive for COVID-19 at Dzaleka camp in the district.

He condemned in strongest terms those behind fabricating the false news, as not wishing the district well.

Denying that Dowa has not registered any COVID- 19 case besides hosting refugees and asylum seekers at the camp in the district.

Mdooka is advising those behind the misconduct to stop forthwith, adding that refugees and asylum seekers are brothers and sisters and above all, citizens of the district.

Speaking during a District Response Committee meeting on COVID-19 held at the Boma, the DC advised anyone seeking informationto always verify with the Council, for correct information.

He said putting the public under panic would only worsen the situation, as the Covid-19 issue was a serious one.

“Rumours have to be verified for one to come up with a balanced story. Verification with the authorities will give the public the rightful information,” Mdooka said.

The DC asked all stakeholders in the district not to be in the forefront fabricating fake news, that refugees are the ones suspected to be importing COVID- 19 cases in the country saying Coronavirus was a global crisis devastating countries including Malawi.