The coronavirus outbreak continues to spread, despite increasingly strict quarantine measures around the world. While the confirmed cases of the deadly disease have topped 200,000 worldwide, the total number of cases in India climbed to 147 on Wednesday morning. 

There’s a lot of information circulating on social media about COVID-19, among them are many myths about the disease. So, here it’s important to know what’s true and what’s not. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched  campaigns to bust the myths around coronavirus. Here are some of the most common ones-

Myth #1: Cold weather kills novel coronavirus

Truth: The WHO says there is “no reason to believe cold weather can kill the new coronavirus,” or other diseases.

Since begining, the WHO is saying that the most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is with frequent handwashing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer. 

Myth #2: COVID-19 cannot be transmitted in hot, humid climates

Truth- COVID-19 can be transmitted anywhere, regardless of how hot or humid the air is. 

Myth #3: Taking a hot bath prevents you from getting COVID-19

Truth: The WHO says its not true. The human body temperature stays relatively stable even when one takes an extremely hot bath. This just leaves you at risk for a burn. 

Myth #4: There are medicines to prevent and treat coronavirus 
Truth: Right now, there is no medication to prevent or treat COVID-19. The WHO is helping with research and development efforts to find treatments for coronavirus, however, they are still under investigation. 

Myth #5: Coronavirus can be transmitted through mosquito bites
Truth- Regarding this, the WHO says, “there has been no information nor evidence to suggest that the new coronavirus could be transmitted by mosquitoes.” This is because the new coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets when someone with the coronavirus sneezes or coughs. 

Myth #6: Hand dryers are effective in killing the COVID-19
Truth- The WHO says, “the heat from a hand dryer alone is not enough to kill the new coronavirus”. 

Myth #7: COVID-19 can be treated using antibiotics
Truth: Antibiotics are used to fight bacteria, not viruses like COVID-19. As per reports, some people who are hospitalized for coronavirus have received antibiotics, but that’s because bacterial “co-infections” are possible with COVID-19, says the WHO. The antibiotic does not treat the virus itself. 
 
Myth #8: Coronavirus only affects older people, not younger ones
Truth: The WHO says people of all ages need to take precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19. The health organisation, however, added that older people are more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the new coronavirus. People with preexisting conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, are also at an increased risk for more severe complications. 

Myth #9: Garlic helps prevent COVID-19 infection
Truth: There is no scientific evidence that eating garlic prevents a person from being infected with the novel coronavirus. 

Myth #10: Thermal scanners can detect coronavirus-infected person
Truth: Thermal scanners, like thermometers, can detect people who have a higher-than-normal body temperature due to infection from COVID-19. But not everyone who is infected with the coronavirus has a fever yet. According to the WHO, “it takes between 2 and 10 days before people who are infected become sick and develop a fever.”

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