Entertainment
Doctor warns against ‘unsolicited’ coronavirus messages as Kate Garraway reveals spam WhatsApps
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Dr Amir Khan has warned against unsolicited messages on WhatsApp and social media, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Appearing on today’s instalment of Good Morning Britain, host Kate Garraway explained that she had seen an increase in texts instructing her to ‘take extra care’ as the South African variant of the virus had been ‘discovered’ in her area.
The star, 53, has been affected by the pandemic personally, as husband Derek Draper is still battling for his life in a coma, after testing positive for Covid-19 last March.
She shared her concern as the messages looked like they were from the NHS, but there was nothing ‘official’ about them.
Speaking to co-star Ben Shephard and the health expert, the mum-of-two said: ‘I have noticed increasingly more on WhatsApp groups, local WhatsApp groups, and indeed on the internet generally, I’m getting messages that look like they’re from the NHS.
‘[The messages are] saying things like, “The South African variant has been discovered in your area, take extra care”.
‘Is it likely the NHS is doing that? It looks like it is but there’s something about it that doesn’t look official as well.
‘Have you noticed this happening and can you confirm whether it’s real or not? Or if it’s part of the spamming that’s going on?’
Dr Amir urged her, and other viewers who may have received similar messages, to be wary, as he hasn’t been made aware that official texts and WhatsApp messages were being sent from the NHS.
‘I’ll be honest with you Kate, I haven’t heard about this and I work closely with the NHS, and in public health campaigns,’ he replied.
‘I haven’t been made aware of such messaging services so I would say, be mindful of unsolicited messages like that.
‘But I think, while you know, while everybody is adhering to the rules and maintaining that social distancing, that will help, but I am not aware of such messaging services, so I would say be mindful of unsolicited messages like that.
‘I think while everyone is adhering to the rules and maintaining social distancing, that will help. But I am not aware of such messages, so just be mindful of such things.’
Good Morning Britain continues on weekday mornings, at 6am, on ITV.
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