Creator of viral voice note inciting COVID-19 panic charged

He is 37-year-old Zavian Patterson of a Westmoreland address who turned himself in to detectives at the Savanna-la-Mar Police Station today.

In a statement the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said Patterson, who was originally classified a person of interest by the police, was accompanied by his attorney “after investigation revealed that he was the mastermind behind a viral voice note falsely purporting a shutdown of the parish”.

In light of the arrest of Patterson, the police are reminding persons “to be responsible and not create or share false information which can cause unnecessary panic and anxiety for the public”.

Citizens are advised to follow the Ministry of Health and Wellness bulletins as the official information outlet providing accurate and timely updates on COVID-19.

Since Jamaica reported its first COVID-19 case in mid March officials are constantly battling a plethora of misinformation as well as disinformation.

News of Patterson being charged has been applauded by many with Prime Minister Andrew Holness tweeting: “In this time of national crisis, public mischief cannot be tolerated”.

Update: Westmoreland man behind viral voice note charged with creating public mischief pic.twitter.com/WgilCNxGt0

— Jamaica Constabulary (@JamaicaConstab) March 30, 2020

Late yesterday evening the health ministry issued a release urging the public to refrain from sharing unsubstantiated information about coronavirus on the island.

“Misinformation about COVID-19, whether it is shared deliberately or not, is a disservice to the national efforts to contain the spread of the virus and to save lives,” said Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton in the wake of a statement issued by the University Hospital of the West Indies to dispel rumours that nurses at the hospital had tested positive for COVID-19.

In this time of national crisis, public mischief cannot be tolerated. #noweakfence behaviour. pic.twitter.com/7gSTJvoYNl

— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) March 30, 2020

“In fact, misinformation serves no other purpose than to fuel panic and foster anxiety among our people at a time when what is needed is for them to have accurate and timely information on which to make good decisions for themselves and their loved ones,” he added.

There are 36 confirmed COVID-19 cases, inclusive of one fatality, on the island as at March 29, 2020.