Stand up for the facts!

Our only agenda is to publish the truth so you can be an informed participant in democracy.
We need your help.

More Info

I would like to contribute

Ciara O'Rourke
By Ciara O'Rourke March 3, 2020

Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, hasn’t confirmed a coronavirus case

If Your Time is short

  • As of March 2, 2020, the CDC has confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in Florida.
     
  • Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, has not confirmed a coronavirus case.
 

Wash your hands and beware suspicious-looking posts on social media claiming the novel coronavirus has arrived in your community. 

"CNN Breaking News Update," reads the text of what looks like a screenshot published on Facebook on March 1. "Shands Hospital of Gainesville Florida confirmed its first case of coronavirus."  

This post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.) 

Florida is among 12 states reporting cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. 

Featured Fact-check

As of March 2, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed two cases in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. Gainesville is in Alachua County.  

Shands Hospital in Gainesville is part of the the University of Florida Health medical network. A spokesman for UF Health did not immediately return PolitiFact’s call about the Facebook post. 

But a member of UF Health’s communications team responded directly to the Facebook post saying he could "state we have no cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus to date."

We rate this Facebook post False.

 

Our Sources

Browse the Truth-O-Meter

More by Ciara O'Rourke

Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, hasn’t confirmed a coronavirus case

Support independent fact-checking.
Become a member!

In a world of wild talk and fake news, help us stand up for the facts.

Sign me up