EXPLAINER: Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?

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Author: The Associated Press (AP)

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’m vaccinated?

No, you can skip routine testing, with some exceptions.

The latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you don’t need to be tested or to quarantine if you’re fully vaccinated, even if you’ve been exposed to someone who was sick. An exception is if you develop COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue.

The updated guidance reflects recent studies showing vaccinated people face very little risk of serious disease. Even if you get an infection, you’ll be less likely to spread it to others and any symptoms will likely be milder.

As a result, the CDC says vaccinated people can also be excluded from routine workplace screening, though many companies aren’t tracking employees’ vaccination status. Screening is still recommended for people working or living in homeless shelters or prisons, due to the higher risk of outbreaks.

The relaxed guidelines also don’t apply to doctors, nurses and other health care workers, whose employers might still require testing.

However, guidance may vary by country. For example, U.S. citizens returning from abroad also still have to present a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flights home, regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should still isolate for 10 days, the CDC says.

As vaccinations increase, many experts expect the CDC to further relax testing guidelines, even for vaccinated people with symptoms. Many common colds and viruses can cause symptoms resembling COVID-19, experts say, which could lead to a wave of unnecessary testing in the fall.

“As we race to open back up, a whole variety of infections that we don’t routinely test for are going to cause those same symptoms,” said Dr. Rebecca Wurtz of the University of Minnesota. “You should wash your hands and stay home from work, but there’s no need to run out to be tested.”

The 211 Check with the help of medical experts is answering your questions about the coronavirus. Submit them at: [email protected]

Radio Miraya misquotes Yei Commissioner, tweeted that Yei airstrip lounge project will cost $600,000

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Author: 211 Check Editorial Team

Intensive investigative findings have revealed that UN radio misquoted Yei Commissioner over the local airstrip construction project.

On Wednesday this week, Radio Miraya tweeted that the construction work of Yei airstrip lounge would cost $600,000.

The below tweet caused uproar on social media, with many South Sudanese netizens criticizing why a small construction project would cost such a huge amount of money. 

The criticisms surfaced intensively on social media when pictures of the airstrip lounge’s foundation work emerged on Facebook and Twitter.

The project also left many online users wanting to know the details of the company contracted by the government to implement such a controversial project. 

Miraya’s misleading tweet

But when fact-checked, it was identified that the lounge construction cost is not worth $600,000, as reported by Radio Miraya.

Yei River County Commissioner, Aggrey Cyrus told Radio Miraya in an interview that the $600,000 included subsequent expansion and upgrade of the Yei airstrip to an airport, not only the pre-boarding facility (waiting lounge).

In addition, Tent Makers International – a religious company contracted by the government, refuted the claims that it was offered $600,000 for the project. It, however, revealed that it is using its own cash to construct a preliminary waiting lounge, as it continues to lobby for huge funds to implement the whole project. 

TMI’s statement over the issue

In a recent fact-check issued by Radio Miraya an hour ago, the media house said the lounge is estimated to cost $30,000 for a space provided to sit 50 air-passengers, according to the Archbishop Evangelical Presbyterian Church – a fact contrary to the first statement which stated that the lounge would accommodate 60 travelers.

Miraya’s Fact Check

DATA – Gun-violence leaves over 310 South Sudanese dead in May Alone

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Author: 211 Check Editorial team

Numerous gun related incidents across South Sudan have left at least 310 civilians killed in the month of May alone.

Last month, 211 Check documented reports of deaths across all the ten states and three administrative areas as published by two mainstream media houses renowned for reporting on crime.

According to data drawn from Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio, Greater Pibor Administrative Area took the lead of areas with the highest number of deaths occurrences. The area registered 150 cases in May alone.

Pibor is followed by the Upper Nile and Lakes States which recorded 36 and 32 deaths respectively.

Central Equator registered 32 deaths, while Jonglei and Lakes states both recorded 30 deaths altogether. The three States were followed by Eastern Equatoria State and Abyei Administrative Area, with 14 and 11 deaths reported.

Western Equatoria State and Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal recorded the lowest deaths, having documented 5 and 4 deaths respectively.

Credit to Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State and Ruweng Administrative Area zones that did not notice deaths due to attacks. However, it needs to be known that the two areas registered several deaths in the month of April this year.

According to the above death related stories where local authorities were mainly quoted, these killings were mainly as result of inter and intra communal fighting, cattle raiding, road attacks and other forms of gun related assaults.

NOTE: This data doesn’t fully bear the actual or complete number of killings across the country, it only bears data reported by the two prominent media houses [Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio]. There might be several other deaths recorded by various media houses or those not even reported.

Below is a bar chart bearing the statistics of deaths recorded.

Bar graph showing the data

Know your facts!

211 Check is a fact checking and information verification platform established to counter mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence. To know more about fact checking processes, click: https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/.

Is the video of a Chinese assaulting an African engineer from South Sudan – report states NO!

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

The current trending video about a one-on-one fight between two men at a construction site didn’t happened in South Sudan as stated, according to 211 Check investigations.

In the past forty-eight hours, there has been a video circulating online, in which a Chinese man is seen attacking an African engineer at what seems to be a construction site.

But is the video from South Sudan? No.

The trending video

In the now/above video trending on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, 211 Check found out that the incident didn’t happened in South Sudan as being claimed by many online users.

The occurrence happened at Tonkolili Iron Ore mine in Sierra Leone, where a Chinese miner reportedly attacked a Sierra Leonean Safety Officer, while was carrying out safety briefing. The reason behind the attack is not clear.

The Chinese Rail Way Seventh Group (CRSG) and Kingho Mining Company limited have both on June 9, 2021 issued press statements condemning the act, saying the conflict was “an expected and isolated case”.

The statement obtained by 211 Check states that the Chinese man has since been relieved of his duty as seen below statement.

Statement

#FactsMatters

Avoid sharing fake fabricated content. To know more about our fact-checking process, click, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Fact Checked: Is online renowned Unicaf University a legitimate institution?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida 

Online scholarships offered by Unicaf University are not fraudulent, according to the 211 Check investigations.   

Due to the increase in online deception, many South Sudanese have been wondering if the Unicaf University is a legitimate and an accredited learning institution in Africa and globally.

Credible research done by 211 Check identified Unicaf University as accredited by the British Accreditation Council, Zambia Higher Education Authority and Malawi National Council for Higher Education.

The certifications, therefore qualifies the institution to be a genuine organisation with administrative offices in Cyprus, which manages Unicaf Universities in Zambia and Malawi respectively. 

211 Check findings also identified Unicaf University as a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA).

Evidence

In an exclusive interview with 211 Check on Monday, Okello Peter – a South Sudanese Unicaf’s communications student testified that the university is recognised.

“I have actually done some courses with Unicaf, before I got the scholarship including a course on professional communication in the workplace. 

“They offer scholarships in which they work with other universities across the globe mostly in the United Kingdom,” said Okello, currently studying Master of Arts and Communication, Digital Strategy at Liverpool John Moores University, an affiliate of Unicaf.

It should also be noted that there has been no record or complaints available in the public domain, regarding Unicaf University being a scam, since it was founded in 2012.

 The institution has an active Twitter handle, Facebook page, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

According to Whois – an online tool used to verify fake websites, Unicaf’s web is legit, as seen in the link: https://www.whois.com/whois/unicaf.org

Unicaf’s website domain details

Conclusion:

Unicaf University online scholarships are not fraudulent. The institution is legitimate/authentic.

NOTE: Be aware of numerous online FAKE institutions who scam individuals or groups, in the name of awarding scholarships.

Internet fraud: Is a type of cybercrime scam or deception carried out on the Internet and could involve hiding of information or providing incorrect information for the purpose of tricking victims out of money, property, and inheritance.

To prevent it, confirm the e-mail of the sender before you respond, make sure you ask for proof of their identity and do a thorough quick research about the company they are calling you from. NEVER give out confidential information when asked either by email or on phone.

To know more about our fact-checking process, click, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

South Sudan’s ambassador to China isn’t suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine complications

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Author: Garang Abraham

South Sudan’s ambassador to China John Andruga Duku is appealing to the public to disregard the trending news that he is suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine related complications after receiving the jab.

According to a Facebook post seen by 211 Check, It’s alleged that Amb. Andruga is admitted at a Nairobi hospital after suffering from complications related to AstraZeneca jab, he took days.

“Oxford AstraZeneca doses need to be investigated for its safety and immunogenicity. See what happens to South Sudan ambassador to China #John Andruga Duku after receiving the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab” reads the misleading post shared by some online Alternative Media houses and other Facebook and WhatsApp users.

The below image bears the deceptive post.

Misleading post

However, when fact-checked, the posts were identified as misleading and fabricated content, as explained below.

Facts why the posts are misleading.

Fact No. 1

Ambassador John Andruga who was discharged recently from Nairobi Hospital is suffering from varicose veins, not from jab’s complications as stated.

“I had surgery on both legs due to bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with a statis ulcer. As a result emergency bilateral multiple ligations and stripping of the varicose veins was done.

“Prof Dr.John Adwok referred me to Dr John  K. Karuiki  who acted promptly with Dr J. Gohl  performed successfuly emergency surgery. I am now recovering at home with my family in Nairobi. Due high medical bill, I am discharged to continue medication from home” Amb. Andruga told 211 Check this afternoon.

Fact No. 2

According to Amb. Andruga, he has not received any Covid-19 vaccination.

“I did not get any of the vaccine of Covid-19 up to now. The causes for the swelling on by each leg was explained by the doctors as bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with statis ulcer” Amb. Andruga added.

Fact No. 3 About the sickness he is suffering from

According to pictures seen and narratives received by 211 Check, Andruga’ illness isn’t associated with any Covid-19 vaccine conditions. As he stated in his message, the sickness is purely correct and relevant, according to our online findings from prominent global medical schools and institutions.

According to Wikipedia: Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms.

EVIDENCE: You can compare and contrast Wikipedia’s image bearing short details of varicose veins, with pictures bearing Amb. Andruga’s feet taken at Nairobi Hospital. The conditions varicose veins in both images are similar.

Wikipedia’s short details of Varicose veins
Ambassador’s feet due to varicose veins

Ambassador goes mad over information sharing: Amb. John claims that a renowned journalist working in a top government office shared his pictures without consent, lamenting ill-intentions towards him.

“I was surprised who put the pictures, why and how did the person get the pictures which I sent privately to my Minister to inform her despite surgery and swelling of both my legs” said angry Andruga.

Ambassador goes live to address the speculations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O-gKk9lgatiuX3fjul67kghT1MEZYzdO

#FactsMatter, don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

Image blunder: Bentiu TV uses a wrong picture to tell a story

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Author: Garang Abraham

Online investigative outcomes have showed that renowned unregulated media house Bentiu TV used a wrong image to tell a story.

Bentiu TV on Monday via Facebook posted a wrong image to describe the recent story of inter-communal violence which occurred in Ulang County of Upper State over the weekend.

“Prayers for Ulang. Our heartfelt condolences to the families who lose their beloved ones. Over 42 people reportedly killed in yesterday’s fight. Below picture are people displaced from their homes” reads a Facebook post by Bentiu TV – a page that has 40, 203 followers.

The screenshot of the post can be seen below.

However, when checked by 211 Check, the image was misused.

According to facts online, the image was first used on March 22, 2021 at 6:09pm CAT depicting children at Orphanage Center in the Capital Juba.

The image is credited to Prophet Peter D, as seen in the below image.

Note: Avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, click on https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check and send you immediate feedback. 

Fact Checked: Was the giraffe killed by a passenger plane in South Sudan?

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Author: Emmanuel Bida

Online fact findings have indicated that there was no occurrence that led to the killing of a giraffe by a passenger plane in South Sudan. 

On May 6th, a Twitter user posted a picture of a dead giraffe that collided with a passenger plane. 

The tweet was caption “Only in South Sudan”, which according to our analysis literally meant the Twitter user was reporting, that the incident happened in South Sudan, as seen in the below picture. 

The misplaced post

211 Check findings found out that the alleged image implying the event to have happened in South Sudan, is for an incident involving Pilot Tico McNutt, a researcher for African Wild Dogs that collided with a giraffe at Santawani airstrip in Botswana close to Maun Okavango Delta.

According to Aviation Safety Network, the event that occurred on October 4, 2004 left the giraffe dead. The Cessna 172, with registration V5-ETS crashed while taking off.

Fortunately, out of the four occupants, there were no fatalities reported, except the pilot who sustained minor injuries.

CONCLUSION: The incident didn’t happen in South Sudan.

#FactsMatter, Don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

Note: To avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/  or contact us via www.211check.org to

More links:

https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2013/08/runway-collision-with-cessna-and-giraffe/
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/43570