Portuguese officers raid clinics claiming 'ozone therapy' cures COVID-19

Portuguese police detained five people on Thursday after raiding health clinics allegedly exploiting the coronavirus pandemic by claiming "ozone therapy" prevents or cures the highly contagious disease.

Portuguese police detained five people on Thursday after raiding health clinics allegedly exploiting the coronavirus pandemic by claiming "ozone therapy" prevents or cures the highly contagious disease. In a statement, Portugal's criminal investigation police agency, the PJ, said the suspects allegedly took advantage of the "fragility and vulnerability of people afraid of the virus or even infected".

The clinics - not named by the PJ - may have contributed to the spread of the disease, the police said, adding they also conducted various tests, namely to detect the coronavirus, without holding a license or meeting the required standards. Two men and three women aged between 32 and 62, all working in the health sector, were arrested and will appear before a court, the PJ said.