300 people in Iran have died after consuming methanol in the false belief that high-proof alcohol is a cure for the coronavirus.
Local media in Iran, where alcohol is banned, have reported more than 1,000 people becoming sick after ingesting the toxic substance.
A string of fake remedies circulating social media has led to dozens of cases of people falling severely ill after consuming bootleg alcohol containing methanol.
Messages that hand sanitiser acts as a strong protective barrier against the disease are thought to have led many to believe drinking the solution would have a similar effect.