A Pacific community leader in New Zealand says social media users need to dial down the vitriol and finger-pointing as fear is driving people to pass on harmful misinformation.
A false rumour circulated on Facebook last week claimed the source of Auckland's Covid-19 outbreak was a woman breaking into an isolation facility to see her boyfriend.
The chairman of the Pacific Response Coordination Team, Pakilau Manase Lua, said the family affected by the post is struggling with what has been written about them.
Manase Lua said not knowing how and when the coronavirus re-emerged has left people fearful, but he said people need to focus away from looking for someone to blame.
Photo: AFP