Officials warn of fake coronavirus alerts at GTHA universities and colleges
Posted January 27, 2020 6:31 pm.
Last Updated January 27, 2020 10:22 pm.
Coronavirus alerts at some Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area universities and colleges on Monday have been debunked as fakes by officials.
Ryerson University tweeted at around 5:45 p.m. Monday that “Ryerson University is aware that there are fake social media posts alleging that students have been admitted to hospital with the coronavirus today. There are no cases of coronavirus at Ryerson.”
The university said an investigation is underway and that people should check the school’s security alerts page for the latest information.
Ryerson University is aware that there are fake social media posts alleging that students have been admitted to hospital with the coronavirus today. There are no cases of coronavirus at Ryerson. For information on Security Alerts at Ryerson, please visit https://t.co/HDzMzq2nDh.
— Toronto Metropolitan University (@TorontoMet) January 27, 2020
Meanwhile down the QEW in Hamilton, an image purporting to show a “quarantine notice” at a student residence at McMaster University was also shot down by officials.
“McMaster has confirmed that this sign was false, and there is no cause for concern,” the university said on Twitter.
A picture has been circulating of what appears to be a quarantine notice in residence related to a possible coronavirus infection.
McMaster has confirmed that this sign was false, and there is no cause for concern.https://t.co/rpC1bmrnZa
— McMaster University (@McMasterU) January 27, 2020
Durham College in Oshawa was also busy de-bunking fake social media posts, saying “there are no known cases of the coronavirus at DC.”
There are no known cases of the coronavirus at DC. A picture has been circulating of an ambulance and hazmat suits on campus. Due to heightened awareness, an abundance of caution was taken by first responders last week. It has been confirmed that this was NOT the coronavirus.
— Durham College (@durhamcollege) January 27, 2020
Some people were clearly not amused with the fake social media posts, with one person posting to Twitter asking the responsible parties to “relax and go study.”
whoever just hacked the ryerson medical centre website and put out an alert saying 2 students were confirmed to have the coronavirus can u relax and go study
— Toni (@Toni_solmito) January 27, 2020
