The Kelantan Health Department has urged the public not to believe rumours that a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) carrier was in the state during the Chinese New Year celebrations recently.

Its director, Zaini Hussin (photo) said the fake news could create uneasiness among the public whereas the department had taken the necessary steps to control the spread of the virus.

“The rumour that an infected person had visited his family in the state during Chinese New Year is not true,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

Zaini was commenting on rumours that a Malaysian man who was found positive for 2019-nCoV on Feb 4 had visited his relatives here during Chinese New Year.

He said so far, there are no cases of the infection in Kelantan.

In a related development, Zaini said screening tests to detect the disease can now be conducted at the Public Health Laboratory in Perol and the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital.

He said this meant that the tests need no longer be sent to Kuala Lumpur for verification.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Kelantan Local Government, Health and Housing Committee Izani Husin also confirmed that the rumours were untrue.

“I have just had a meeting with the state health director on the precautionary measures to tackle the spread of the infections and I was told that it (the rumour) is not true,” he said.

He urged all parties not to spread fake news which could create panic among the public. - Bernama