A fake article has been on rounds that the microbiologist Dr Elisa Granato, who took part in the UK human trial for Coronavirus in Oxford died. Granato was one of two people to take part in the trial. Debunking the article about her “death”, she tweeted about the news before making her Twitter account private. She wrote: “Nothing like waking up to a fake article on your death ... I’m doing fine everyone.” UK's Department of Health and Social Care has also tweeted stating that the news circulating on social media that the first volunteer in a UK coronavirus vaccine trial has died is completely untrue.

Our assessment is that improved communication between researchers and the media is indeed recommended but is only part of the solution to counter digital misinformation.

Cover Image