COVID-19 (more specifically, a coronavirus) is the disease identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.
The aim of COVID-19 facts is to provide accurate and credible information to counter myths that are gaining traction on social media platforms.
Not all information related to COVID-19 is based on sound science. The information void has led to the occurrence of misinformation, misperceptions and myths propagated by sources that lack the credibility to provide authoritative comment.
The web is awash with misinformation on the coronavirus. On this site, we present the facts as they become available, substantiated by academics, health organisations and governments.
Coronavirus Poll
Survey finds that 77 percent of people are concerned about the coronavirus outbreak and 50 percent have CHANGED hygiene behaviours.
Myth: The virus is not new - I’ve seen the name Coronavirus on products sold last year
The term novel coronavirus means it’s a new type of coronavirus which hasn’t been previously detected. Coronavirus is family of viruses and the reason people may have seen ‘Human Coronavirus’ on labels is that this refers to previous strains of the virus.
Myth: It is only spread by a few ‘super-spreaders’
The term ‘super-spreader’ is vague and unhelpful. It does not have a clear scientific definition. When using the term, people are normally referring to a person that infects more people than usual. But we should be guided by the statistics. On average, the carrier of the infection infects two to three people with the virus.
MYTH: Products are ineffective against this strain of Coronavirus and nothing can protect you
FACT: No commercial products can yet be tested by any company for effectiveness against this new strain. That does not mean that they won’t be proved to be effective once companies are in a position to carry out the appropriate tests.
Live Virus Map Tracker
External link to live map of COVID-19 virus updated daily based on the number of confirmed cases reported by the WHO and other sources. Map created by John Hopkins University
Myth: Antibiotics will work against this new strain of Coronavirus
Antibiotics – designed to kill bacteria – just don’t work against viruses. There are some antiviral drugs that can be used against some viruses such as the ones that cause flu. Unfortunately we don’t yet have antiviral drugs that kill the coronavirus that causes covid19.
Myth: Good nutrition can prevent the coronavirus
People cannot prevent coronavirus infection through diet. However, a healthy life-style including balanced diet has a positive significance in maintaining an immune system against virus attack.
Myth: Regularly rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent infection with the new coronavirus
Regularly rinsing your nose with saline will help prevent infection with the new coronavirus No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus.
Your gateway to fact-based information on the coronavirus outbreak.
“It is very critical right now for us to understand all the different routes of transmission, the full severity, which can help us with our models of what the impact may be, if this spreads to many countries”