The NHS has asked hospitals to change the way they collect COVID-19 data.

In June, the Independent published an exclusive on how hospitals collect COVID-19 data. However, we have been unable to verify the information.

In June, the Independent published an exclusive on how hospitals collect COVID-19 data. However, we have been unable to verify the information.On June 10, the Independent published an exclusive on how hospitals collect COVID-19 data. The paper reported that "hospitals have been told to change the way they collect data on patients infected with coronavirus to differentiate between those actually sick with symptoms and those who test positive while seeking treatment for something else."

The proposed changes would basically make a distinction between those in hospital "with" COVID-19 and "for" COVID-19. According to the Independent, NHS England’s COVID incident director, Professor Keith Willett, wrote a letter to "hospital bosses," stating that there should be “a breakdown of the current stock of Covid patients into those who are in hospital with acute Covid-19 symptoms (and for whom Covid-19 is the primary reason for being in hospital); and those who are primarily in hospital for a reason other than Covid-19 (but for whom the hospital is having to manage and treat the Covid-19 symptoms alongside their primary condition).”

At the time of writing (June 21), there have been no other reports of these changes having being implemented. This does not mean that the changes are not really being considered, we have nevertheless had to mark this claim unverifiable.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.