Nepal Police on March 21 arrested a youth for allegedly spreading rumours about deaths by COVID-19 in a private hospital, which went viral over social media.

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The Cyber Crime Bureau of Nepal Police arrested 20-year-old from Sipadol, Bhaktapur, confirmed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). "He has been arrested for allegedly spreading false information causing public fear amidst the rising threat of COVID-19," the Senior Superintendent told ANI.

The youth has also been found to be operating an online portal without getting it registered with the Press Council and Department of Information and Broadcasting defying standard procedures. "Investigation into the case is underway," the Senior Superintendent added.

An audio recording was rotating on social media from late Saturday evening claiming a total of eight people have tested positive for coronavirus and were admitted to Norvic International Hospital. After the audio went viral over the social media, the Norvic International Hospital on Saturday afternoon issued a release, declining any such report.