With 1000 cases in China alone and even more increasing every day outside China, it comes as no surprise that through the plethora of information, comes some myths that are just not true.

Here are 5 myths and the truth as told by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

I can get coronavirus from a package, or letter mailed from China.

Untrue. Previous observations have shown that coronavirus does not survive long on objects, therefore it is safe to receive mail from China.

My pneumonia vaccine protects me from getting coronavirus.

There is currently no vaccine against the new coronavirus. This virus is so new and different from pre-existing strains of pneumonia that it needs its own vaccine. Scientists are racing to create a new vaccine & WHO is supporting their efforts.

Putting sesame oil on my skin will protect me from coronavirus.

Sesame oil has absolutely no effect on killing coronavirus. While disinfectants & alcohol has been shown to kill coronavirus, they can only be applied on surfaces. They have no effect on any viruses that may have entered your body. It is dangerous to put any disinfectant or alcohol on your skin under your nose.

Antibiotics can cure coronavirus.

Antibiotics have no effect on coronavirus. Because antibiotics are only effective on illnesses caused by bacteria. As coronavirus is a virus, there is no effect.

Applying alcohol or chlorine all over my body will kill the coronavirus.

This will not kill any viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be damaging and harmful to your clothes and mucous membranes (i.e. nose, eyes, mouth).