Characterization of fake news about the pandemic COVID-19 in Brazil

Objective: to characterize the false news related to COVID-19 in Brazil. Methodology: this is a descriptive study, in which we used data on fake news involving COVID-19 on the Ministry of Health's website, "E-farces" and on the website "G1 fact or fake". Results: We identified 291 false news involving the following contents: transmission/dissemination; China-related treatments; vaccine development; cure; Brazilian politicians; social isolation; deaths related to COVID-19; prevention/use of personal protective equipment; the number of cases; Ministry of Health and government actions; and others. The first fake news was published on January 29. Considering the context of the pandemic, the news often quotes the words water, Brazil, patients, tea, isolation, use, cause, aid, government, cases, and cure. The instant messaging application was one of the most responsible for spreading 34.4% of fake news, followed by social networks with 14.2%. Conclusion: fake news checking sites are essential to deny information about COVID-19, especially those related to practices based on scientific evidence. Strategies are needed to strengthen the dissemination of truthful information, combating the phenomenon of fake news and its proliferation in the various media, favoring safe health communication for the population.