Coronavirus myths debunked by the World Health Organization

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A woman is pictured wearing a mask while walking down Oxford Street, central London, on 17 March. The UK has confirmed 1,960 cases since the outbreak began. (Getty Images)
A woman is pictured wearing a mask while walking down Oxford Street, central London, on 17 March. The UK has confirmed 1,960 cases since the outbreak began. (Getty Images)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has debunked some of the misleading myths surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

The previously-unknown Covid-19 virus is thought to have emerged at a seafood and live animal market in the Chinese city Wuhan at the end of last year.

It has since spread internationally, with more than 190,000 confirmed cases worldwide since the outbreak was identified, according to John Hopkins University data.

While officials are urging the public to wash their hands regularly and maintain social distancing, the internet is awash with false information about how to stay virus-free.

The WHO has debunked the most widespread, and ludicrous claims, in an attempt to combat the outbreak sooner.

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Globally, the death toll has exceeded 7,000.

While this is alarming, more than 80,600 of the 190,000 confirmed patients are known to have “recovered”.

China, where the outbreak began, has seen cases plateauing since the end of February.

Europe is now the epicentre of the pandemic, with Italy alone having more than 27,900 confirmed cases and over 2,000 deaths.

A masked solider is pictured talking to a driver in the island Luzon in the Philippines on 18 March. The Philippines has had 187 confirmed cases. (Getty Images)
A masked solider is pictured talking to a driver in the island Luzon in the Philippines on 18 March. The Philippines has had 187 confirmed cases. (Getty Images)

Coronavirus myths debunked by the World Health Organization

‘Cold temperatures kill the coronavirus’

“There is no reason to believe cold weather can kill the new coronavirus”, according to the WHO.

The Covid-19 virus is one of seven strains of the coronavirus class that are known to infect the airways of humans.

A human’s body temperature remains around 36.5°C to 37°C (97.7°F to 98.6°F) regardless of the conditions outside.

Although unclear, some experts wonder whether cold weather could actually be making the outbreak worse, with it potentially easing as temperatures warm up.

Flu may be more prevalent in the northern hemisphere’s winter due to the cold weather driving people to “huddle” indoors.

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