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Tyler County man charged with making social media post falsely claiming he tested positive for COVID-19

The 23-year-old Woodville man is facing a class A misdemeanor charge.

TYLER COUNTY, Texas — The Tyler County district attorney's office has charged 23-year-old Woodville man for falsely reporting on social media that they had tested positive for the COVID-19 at Tyler County Hospital over the weekend.

Michael Lane Brandin, 23, of Woodville, was charged Monday with making a "False Alarm/False Report" which is a class A misdemeanor.

Brandin made the alleged false claim over the weekend according to a Facebook post from the Tyler County District Attorney's Office.

Deputies with the Tyler County Sheriff's Office investigated the the false claim according to the post.

"Knowingly communicating, initiating, or circulating a false report/false alarm of COVID-19 that one *knows is false or baseless*, and that would ordinarily cause action by an official or interrupt the occupation of any place of assembly, can be a criminal offense in the State of Texas," an earlier post on Monday by the district attorney's office.

Credit: Tyler County Sheriff's Office
Michael Lane Brandin, 23, of Woodville

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Coronavirus symptoms

The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.

But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk.

The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.

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Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...

  • The air by coughing or sneezing
  • Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

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Help stop the spread of coronavirus 

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Eat and sleep separately from your family members
  • Use different utensils and dishes
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
  • If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash

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Lower your risk

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.

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