Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has warned certain medical practitioners of action for allegedly spreading misinformation pertaining to the COVID-19.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissionerate of Health and Family Services said some medical practitioners were allegedly giving incomplete, inaccurate and unsubstantiated information about COVID-19.

“Such misinformation leads to confusion in public at large on the prevailing COVID scenario in the State and encourages them to deviate from well laid out guidelines issued by the Health and Revenue authorities,” the statement said.

Asking the medical professionals to exercise utmost care and caution while communicating with the public on COVID-19, the Commissionerate asked them to refer to the Government guidelines, circulars and orders thoroughly before appearing on any media or social platform.

“Any misinformation or non-factual data on COVID-19 shared on such platforms would be deemed as an offence and necessary action would be initiated as per Section 54 of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Section 4(K) of Karnataka Epidemic Disease Act, 2020,” the Commissionerate warned in its statement.

Medical practitioners, being proficient in both clinical and public health, should exercise utmost care and caution while communicating with the public on COVID-19. “It is expected that medical practitioners shall refer to the guidelines / circulars / orders issued by Government of Karnataka and any media / social platform.

According to health officials, a few doctors recently appeared in some news channels and allegedly gave statements contrary to the facts and had the potential to trigger panic among people about COVID-19.