Covid-19 has killed more people than obesity in the UK this year
An Instagram post compares recent Covid-19 and obesity mortality rates which are not representative of the wider picture. Read
Fact check
Covid-19 fact checks
This page brings together Full Fact’s fact checks on Covid-19, covering common claims, vaccine safety and efficacy, symptoms, treatments, government policies, and misinformation. We review evidence, correct errors, and monitor evolving science to help you make informed decisions.
Health
How quickly is the outbreak growing?
Government scientists warned that new cases could double every week, which some people say is not realistic. Read
Fact check
People did die of Covid-19 in Ireland in August
A viral post compares the number of deaths from cancer, suicide, alcohol and Covid-19 in Ireland, but it gets a lot wrong. Read
Fact check
Health
How does a Covid-19 test work?
The common cold will not produce a positive result on a Covid-19 diagnostic test. Read
Analysis
The government is not planning to roll out an untested Covid-19 vaccine
A government consultation about unlicensed vaccines has been misunderstood online. Read
Fact check
Almost all of these claims about viruses are wrong
Posts claiming that viruses are just dead material and the body contains many viruses don’t disprove the fact that Covid-19 can be very harmful. Read
Fact check
Health
This post comparing deaths in August is a guess
We don’t yet have data on the number of deaths from suicide in August 2020. Read
Fact check
There’s no evidence for how many people took part in ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ or later died from Covid-19
A Facebook post makes misleading claims about the survival rates of people eating in restaurants without masks. Read
Fact check
Health
This is what the guidelines are for social distancing in parliament.
The guidance includes a maximum number of people in the chamber and remote voting. Read
Fact check
Health
Photos of ministers together weren’t taken at a ‘Cobra’ meeting
Ministers attending a Cabinet meeting appear to be adhering to workplace Covid guidance. Read
Fact check
Evidence you can rely on
Fact checking claims made by politicians, public figures and viral online content can give you the full picture backed by the evidence.
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