Health
The Covid-19 virus has been isolated many times
Claims that the Covid-19 virus has not been isolated, and therefore tests for it do not work, are unfounded. 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.
Viral letter on Covid-19 testing in Liverpool school was real but has been withdrawn
The letter was sent without input from the council. A new letter issued to parents asks for consent to test children. Read
Fact checks
Group swab Covid-19 tests do not return positives to people without the virus
Sample pooling is a method being trialled to save time and resources when Covid-19 prevalence is low. Read
Fact checks
Health
Labour MP contact tracing claim at PMQs out by factor of ten
Ruth Jones claimed the contact tracing system in England costs £1,700 per person. This was based on a calculation which was out by a factor of ten. Read
Fact checks
Health
Fact-checking claims on coronavirus transmission in schools
Our readers have asked us to look into claims made by the NEU and Skwawkbox about Covid-19 transmission in schools. Read
Fact checks
A Covid-19 vaccine is not being administered via Covid-19 nasal swab tests
Despite the fact that some other animal vaccines are administered via the nose, the Covid-19 swab test is not a Covid-19 vaccine. Read
Fact checks
Health
A comparison of daily deaths from Covid-19 and non-Covid causes is incorrect
The Covid-19 figures are incorrect based on when the claim was made, and we don’t have recent figures for the non-Covid deaths. Read
Fact checks
No, we are not on track for a normal number of deaths this year
A post on Facebook compares the death toll this year in England in Wales with the UK death toll in previous years to incorrectly suggest we are on course for a normal yearly death toll. Read
Fact checks
The WHO has not decided attending school implies consent for vaccines
In the UK you can’t be forced to have a vaccine. Read
Fact checks
This figure for flu deaths is wrong
A viral Facebook post claims that the flu killed 64,000 people in 2018. This is incorrect. 64,000 people died in January 2018 in England and Wales of all causes. Read
Fact checks
