Wakefield Council launches new campaign tackling Covid misinformation - with information on vaccines, infection rates and scam calls

Wakefield Council has launched a new campaign to tackle to spread of Covid misinformation, warning that sharing information from bogus sources could contribute to a rise in infections and "ultimately cause more deaths".
By Holly Gittins
Published 28th Jan 2021, 12:30 GMT
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The Careless Talk Costs Lives campaign emphasises the dangers of trusting unofficial sources of information relating to the pandemic.

A new, dedicated section of the Wakefield Council website seeks to dispute these sources by providing information on vaccinations, infection rates, scam calls and more.

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How many Covid cases have there been in my area of Wakefield? These are the latest figures for Wakefield and the Five Towns

Wakefield Council has launched a new campaign to tackle to spread of Covid misinformation, warning that sharing information from bogus sources could contribute to a rise in infections and "ultimately cause more deaths". Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty ImagesWakefield Council has launched a new campaign to tackle to spread of Covid misinformation, warning that sharing information from bogus sources could contribute to a rise in infections and "ultimately cause more deaths". Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Wakefield Council has launched a new campaign to tackle to spread of Covid misinformation, warning that sharing information from bogus sources could contribute to a rise in infections and "ultimately cause more deaths". Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

It also provides links to trusted official sources of information, including as the government website, West Yorkshire Police and local NHS Trust.

Cllr Faith Heptinstall, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing at Wakefield Council, said: “It is vital that we tackle misinformation on COVID-19 and the threat it poses to our district.

"We have seen false information being spread about the vaccine, the origins of the virus, infection rates, as well as bogus prevention methods and cures.

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“There are also several COVID-19 scams in circulation and our residents must be aware of these.

"Wakefield residents have asked us to direct them to accurate information that they can trust so that they feel safe and well-informed throughout the pandemic.”

The site also offers advice for anyone who has received fraudulent calls, text messages or emails purporting to offer a Covid-19 vaccine or assist with self-isolation payments.

Jo Webster, Chief Officer at NHS Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “It is vital that we all follow trusted information to keep ourselves, our families and our communities safe and combat the spread of COVID-19.

"The sooner that we do so, the sooner we will be able to return to a normal way of life.”

Find out more on the Wakefield Council website here.

Related topics:Wakefield CouncilWakefieldWellbeing