Health
There are ways to identify the Delta variant
It is done through further analysis of positive PCR results. Read
Fact checks
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
Newspapers report Covid hospitalisations over seven months as over seven days
In the seven months to 29 August, 9,472 people in England stayed in hospital overnight with a confirmed case of the Delta variant. Read
Fact checks
Health
The government did not give £37 billion to Serco
This is the total budget for two years of Test and Trace. Not all of it was spent, and only a fraction went to Serco. Read
Fact checks
Health
Evidence so far does not show the Mu variant is ‘immune to vaccines’
The Covid-19 strain is currently designated a variant of interest and has a number of potentially concerning mutations. Read
Fact checks
Health
An influencer muddled his maths on vaccines for children
The JCVI says that the Covid vaccines would probably do marginally more good than harm, even for healthy children. Read
Fact checks
Health
Viral video makes incorrect claims about teenagers and vaccine consent
A 2020 court case, known as Bell vs Tavistock, doesn’t mean it’s illegal to vaccinate teenagers without parental consent or a court order Read
Fact checks
Education
Data doesn’t show parents will ‘insist’ on children wearing masks to school
A Mail Online article incorrectly claims ‘23% of parents of secondary pupils will insist their children wear masks’. Read
Fact checks
Health
Germany has not stopped using Covid-19 vaccines
A social media post falsely claims Germany’s government no longer recommends Covid-19 vaccination. Read
Fact checks
Health
Video falsely claims that you cannot refuse the Covid-19 vaccines
We fact check this, and several other claims. Read
Fact checks
Health
Daily Mail understates the risks of Covid-19 to children
Severe disease and death are very rare, but still more common than the Mail claimed. Read
Fact checks
