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Police are investigating a threat made online to spread Covid-19 at the University of Auckland.
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Police are investigating the claim circulating on social media. Source: Breakfast
A screenshot is circulating on social media from an 8Chan user who says they were in the same restaurant as a confirmed Covid-19 case, they are now symptomatic and now they intend to deliberately spread the virus in exams, which will be held today and Friday.
The publication asks for advice on how to be a “super spreader” and identifies ethnic, religious and rainbow communities as potential targets.
“The police are aware of the information posted in an online forum and we are currently evaluating this information,” a police spokesman told 1 NEWS.
A spokesperson for the University of Auckland told 1 NEWS that the university is aware of the post and is aware of the post and that the “Incident Management Team is investigating it.”
However, this afternoon the university said it does not believe the threats are credible.
“We want to reassure all students and staff that the University is taking this issue seriously, however we believe the risk is very low and there is no evidence to suggest the threat is real.
“It is unfortunate that someone tries to interrupt our exams in this way.
“While being vigilant about the safety of our students, the university believes it is important that we do not overreact to what is an unspecified and anonymous social media post.”
His statement comes as the students, using an anonymous platform, criticized the university for keeping them out of the loop, demanding to know why the university had not informed them of the threat.
“We can confirm that the second semester exams continue as normal and that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of students and staff; we have communicated with students and informed them of this,” the university said.
However, a student who spoke to 1 NEWS on condition of anonymity said that no such message had been communicated to her.
Other students who attended the STATS108 test this morning said no health risks were mentioned or precautions taken.
The exam was one of 20 that took place this morning, while another 15 are scheduled for this afternoon.
The university says it began investigating the threat last night, and while the original post did not directly mention the university, it was distributed on the r / UniversityofAuckland subreddit.
The Health Ministry said it “supports the University and Auckland Police as the appropriate agencies to investigate this incident as they will be in the best position to find out what happened and determine what further action is required.”
They say that anyone concerned and wanting information about Covid-19 should contact Healthline at 0800 358 5453.
