Contradicting presentation of reports by prominent news outfits baffled Filipinos as both were sourced from the Department of Health which warned on Thursday (January 4) that those behind the spread of fake news will be charged in court.

However, the latest DOH advisory sent to the news media on Thursday (January 4) contained a public warning against “a circulating message claiming a new COVID-19 wave in Metro Manila.”

The health department said the fake news has been traced to a “practitioner from a private hospital.”

“It is important to note that the message is unverified and the doctor and hospital are not involved,” the DOH said.

It added: “There is no credible evidence or official announcement from health authorities supporting the assertion of a surge in COVID-19 cases at the mentioned hospital.”

Officials did not identify the hospital which was presumed to be located in Metro Manila.

The DOH advised the public to” rely on information from reputable sources such as the agency and other official health organizations.”

“Misinformation can contribute to unnecessary panic and fear,” the agency said.

“Furthermore, the DOH states that criminal charges may be pressed if related post/s persists,” the DOH warned.

News accounts posted in the websites of two news outfits on Wednesday indicated stark contradiction in the presentation of COVID-19 infromation.

Citing the DOH as its information source, one claimed that COVID-19 spread in the country was low.

Further, it revealed that the DOH reported that from November to December last year, only 12 percent of the total intensive care unit beds in hospitals were occupied by COVID -19 patients.

The news firm also noted that non-ICU beds averaged 17 percent and reached a maximum of 19 percent for individuals infected with COVID 19 during the past two months.

On the other hand, another well-known news outfit revealed that COViD cases in the country spiked during the Christmas holidays but have now started to decline.

The news item said the “coronavirus caseload” from December 26 to January 1, 2024 slid by ten percent compared to the recorded cases during the Christmas week ending December 25.