COVID-19 tests are not part of a conspiracy to microchip people

Conspiracy theories abound about COVID-19 and microchips, with claims circulating about PCR tests and vaccines since the start of the pandemic.

Despite the lack of evidence for these claims, some social media users remain unconvinced and shared an Oct. 15 Facebook post that says, “Corona PCR ‘test’ is implanting a microchip.”

The post was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction, and refers to a kind of test that checks for the presence of genetic material from a virus or other organism. There is no evidence to support the claim that PCR tests for COVID-19 implant a microchip into the people being tested.

The woman to whom the claim is attributed, Celeste Solum, was unable to explain the fabricated theory to a journalist and has also falsely claimed that COVID-19 testing is a secret blood harvesting operation. 

A headline on the claim describes Solum as a “former FEMA whistleblower.” However, Reuters reported in 2020 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it has no record that Solum was ever an employee. When pressed on this point by a reporter from another publication, Solum “said they had been looking under the wrong name. She brandished a bomber jacket with a FEMA badge to prove she had been an employee.”

Her LinkedIn profile says she is the owner of an organic farm and broadcaster for The Celestial Report with Celine Solum, described on its website as “Jesus-centered Interactive News and Community.” The website features COVID-19 webinars that can only be accessed through paid subscriptions.

The Facebook post with Solum’s claim links to an article on Rumble.com that also includes a video that makes various other false claims about COVID-19 that have been debunked by fact-checkers.

Solum’s claim about PCR tests dates at least to November 2020, when she was interviewed by David Icke, who was banned by Twitter for sharing COVID-19 misinformation. Icke also has claimed to be the Son of God.

Our ruling

A Facebook post claimed, “Corona PCR ‘test’ is implanting a microchip.”

We found no evidence to support this claim. The woman to whom the claim is attributed cannot explain it, and she has made numerous other claims about COVID-19 that have been debunked.

She is described in the post as a former FEMA employee, but the agency says she never worked there.

We rate this claim Pants on Fire!