Health Minister John Haggie slammed misinformation circulating on COVID-19, calling recent suggestions that people inject disinfectant to beat coronavirus “reprehensible.”

In a recent public address, US President Trump questioned whether or not the ingestion or injection of disinfectants into the body might do some good.

That prompted the makers of Lysol to issue a statement warning that “under no circumstances” should disinfectant be administered into the human body.

Haggie cited a recent case in Iran, where dozens of people died and many more were blinded after drinking industrial alcohol.

Haggie called any suggestions that people ingest bleach to beat the virus “reprehensible.” Haggie, who in his previous medical practice treated people who ingested bleach, says there is “no justification” for those type of suggestions and says it “beggars belief.”

He also slammed recent rumours about an aircraft arriving in the province with no screening measures in place. It’s something the official Opposition referenced in calling for tougher screening measures at provincial airports.

Haggie says tracking down and debunking rumours about a non-existent flight carrying “phantom Newfoundlanders” has been very stressful, and has had a “corrosive effect” on the morale at Eastern Health and among airport employees.