Full Fact raises concerns with regulator over inaccurate coronavirus testing data

This week we wrote to the UK Statistics Authority about concerns over the way in which statistics about coronavirus testing in the UK are being presented and communicated to the public.

In June, when asked in Prime Minister’s Questions about how quickly coronavirus tests were being turned around, Boris Johnson said that all tests at testing centres and mobile testing units at the time were turned around within 24 hours.

Recently published data shows that the actual number of tests turned around in that timeframe was much smaller. When we asked the Department of Health about the figures, we were initially told they were correct. After we put the newly published data to them, they didn’t respond directly, sending us some background points instead.

Back in April, the government set itself a target of conducting 100,000 tests a day by the end of the month. We’ve written about the fact that this target was missed, but the government claimed it was achieved. Data published on 4 July shows that fewer than 100,000 tests were actually processed by laboratories on 30 April. The government also counted those that were only posted.

We understand that there are significant pressures on the government at this time, and that mistakes will inevitably be made when providing data. But there must be a willingness to correct inaccurate claims once they are identified, no matter who said them.

When we’ve had an answer to our letter, we’ll update you again.

Fighting for good information

Can we count on you to help the fight for good information?

Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve all relied on data and statistics to make sense of what is going on. Can you help us make sure they're accurate and reliable?

Good information has never been more vital. Monthly donors keep us wading through the data, investigating claims and calling out mistakes.

As we face uncertainty, we need you to join them. Just a few pounds a month helps ensure people can access the information they need to keep themselves safe.

If you agree that good information saves lives, could you become a supporter today?

Yes, I’ll give a one off donation

Yes, I’ll start a monthly donation

FACT CHECK

What is the guidance on face coverings and how has it changed?

Face coverings are set to become mandatory in all shops in England on 24 July and those who refuse risk a £100 fine or being refused service.

In England, face coverings are already mandatory on public transport and in hospitals. They are not recommended in schools or most types of workplace. Nor are they currently being mandated in pubs and restaurants.

Different rules exist for each nation in the UK: in Scotland face coverings are already mandatory in shops and on public transport, and they are mandatory on transport but not currently in shops in Northern Ireland. There are currently no mandatory face covering rules in Wales.

There are some exemptions on wearing face masks for children but the age requirements differ across the UK.

The guidance in full

FACT CHECK

Claims that Muslims caused Leicester’s coronavirus spike are unfounded

We’ve seen widely-shared claims on Facebook that Leicester went into local lockdown because Muslims living in the area didn’t understand government advice and didn’t use hand sanitiser because of a religious prohibition on alcohol products.

It is still too early to give a definitive explanation for why Leicester’s outbreak happened.

The first claim may be linked to an article in a national newspaper, which quoted local sources who claimed a lack of translation of messaging contributed to the outbreak. The article does not specify religions.

As for hand sanitiser, there is no evidence to support the claim that Muslims use it less than other communities, or that use of hand sanitiser was a factor in the Leicester outbreak. Many Muslims do not consider alcohol-based sanitisers forbidden, and the Muslim Council of Britain has advocated for the use of hand sanitiser gel.

What the Health Secretary said

FACT CHECK

Also this week...

Read our latest fact checks

Stop the spread of bad information

Find these updates useful? We'd be incredibly grateful if you could share our fact checks and help more people access good information.

Forward

Many thanks from the Full Fact team

Donate

Like us

You can find out how we’re funded here.

Copyright © Full Fact 2020 - All rights reserved

A registered charity (no. 1158683) and a non-profit company (no. 6975984) limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales.

Our mailing address is:
2 Carlton Gardens, London, SW1Y 5AA

We use Mailchimp to send you our emails and to see which articles are most popular. Read our privacy policy or Mailchimp's privacy policy

unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences