Researchers say at least eight hundred people died around the world because of coronavirus-related misinformation in the first three months of this year.
A study published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene said about five thousand eighty hundred people were admitted in hospital as a result of false information on social media.
According to the report, many people died from drinking methanol or alcohol-based cleaning products, which they wrongly believed to be a cure for the virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously said that the rumours surrounding COVID-19 spread just as quickly as the virus itself, with conspiracy theories and cultural stigma all contributing to deaths and injuries.
Researchers said many of the victims had followed advice resembling credible medical information such as eating large amounts of garlic or ingesting large quantities of vitamins as a way of preventing infection while others drank substances such as cow urine, for prevention.
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