After the detection of first COVID-19 patient here, the social media was flooded with fake messages, suggesting a "lockdown" and more confirmed cases of the deadly infection in Chandigarh.
The Chandigarh administration had to come out with a clarification, saying the messages were fake and advised people not to circulate the false information.
Meanwhile, people thronged markets in Chandigarh and Mohali markets fearing a shortage of essential items.
A 23-year-old woman, who recently returned from London, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the first confirmed case of the deadly infection in the union territory.
In a fake message, it was claimed that three more cases of coronavirus were detected in Sector 19 of Chandigarh.
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Another fake message said, "Emergency meeting announced. May be going to lockdown Chandigarh by evening."
On Wednesday, another fake message citing health authorities was circulated on social media.
It asked people not to come out of their homes from 10 pm to 5 am as a medicine was being sprayed to tackle the infection.
A shopkeeper at Mohali said he saw an unusual jump in the number of customers at his shop on Thursday as people were purchasing more than the requirement.
A huge rush could be seen at shops and people seemed to be indulging in panic buying, shopkeepers said.
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