KATE Garraway has slammed the spread of “unnecessary fear” after she was targeted by sick scammers claiming that she’s “at risk” of contracting a new coronavirus variant.
The confused 53-year-old star asked Dr Amir Khan about the issue after receiving official-looking correspondence from the NHS.
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However, the medical professional confirmed that these messages weren’t genuine – and she was at risk of being scammed.
Kate asked: “I just wanted to check with you whether this is likely to be real or not – I’ve noticed increasingly more on local WhatsApp groups and on the Internet generally.
“I am getting messages that look like they’re from the NHS, saying things like: ‘The South African variant has been discovered in your area, take extra care’.
“Is it likely that the NHS is doing that? It looks like it is, but there’s also something about it that doesn’t look official as well.
“Have you noticed this happening? Can you confirm if this is real or not? Or is it part of the spamming that’s going on?”
Dr Amir replied: “I’ll be honest with you, Kate – I haven’t heard about this and I work closely with the NHS and in public health campaigns.
“I’ve not been made aware of such a messaging service so I would stay mindful of unsolicited messages like that.”
He added: “While everybody is adhering to the rules and maintaining that social distancing, that will help… But I am not aware of such messages.”
Kate then hit out at the people behind the scams, pointing out: “You wonder whether it’s spreading unnecessary fear, which doesn’t help in the long run.”
The TV favourite has suffered the impact of coronavirus more than some over the past year, with her husband Derek rushed to hospital with the illness a year ago – and still remaining in ICU now.
He is the UK’s longest-surviving Covid inpatient, and Kate has previously said that his body has been “ravaged” by Covid.
Yesterday, it was revealed that Kate’s turmoil will be documented in a special one-off ITV documentary called Finding Derek.
The programme will offer an intimate insight into how she is coping as Derek remains seriously ill 12 months on.
She will also meet survivors of the disease and discuss the long-term effects of the virus.
While Derek has beaten Covid, he has been unable to gain consciousness from his induced coma and is still in intensive care.
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