The sheer breathless urgency in the story coupled with the ridiculous statistic immediately gave it the flavor of fakery. In the context of the push push push to get the vax, it didn't ring true as the emergency that was claimed.

These days it is safest to consider ALL news first from the viewpoint of whether it seems to promote the government's view and needs. Second, the reputation of the news source, with mainstream having the least credibility and truth level.