NSW Health have busted five coronavirus myths

NSW Health have busted a number of coronavirus myths, warning the public to be wary of false and “alarmist” rumours.

NSW Health have warned the public to be aware of false and misleading rumours on social media and inaccurate reports regarding the spread of the deadly coronavirus across the state.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said there have been multiple incorrect and alarmist social media posts regarding the spread and severity of the disease, prompting the government to remind all residents to fact check.

Dr Chant said residents across the state need to be “aware of the facts” regarding the virus and to “take a moment to investigate unverified claims before they share them with others”.

Four people in NSW have now been infected with the virus.

In Queensland, a fifth case was confirmed yesterday, bringing the national tally to 15 people – including four cases in Victoria and two in South Australia.

RELATED: Latest coronavirus news and updates

Dr Chant said NSW Health was particularly keen to dispel five common myths about the coronavirus that are leading to statewide panic:

You should avoid Chinatown/shopping centres/suburbs with high Chinese-Australian populations: “While four cases have been diagnosed in NSW to date, patients have been isolated until no longer infectious and there is no evidence that community transmission is occurring in NSW.” Sydney’s Chinatown, usually bustling with tourists and locals on any given day for lunch or dinner, has become a ghost town in the last few weeks, slashing business by half.

RELATED: Coronavirus fears spread to Sydney school

Sydney’s Chinatown is almost completely deserted. Picture: Richard Dobson

You can get the novel coronavirus from an imported package of food: “The novel coronavirus does not appear to last very long on surfaces. Therefore imported products do not pose a risk of transmission of this virus.”

Garlic and sesame oil will stop me from contracting novel coronavirus: NSW Health have advised that the best way to protect yourself from contracting the disease is by exercising the same methods you would against any respiratory infection.

People should practice good hygiene by:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow.

• Making sure to clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

The virus has mutated into a more lethal strain: This myth was debunked by the World Health Organisation, with Infectious Hazards Management Department director Sylvie Briand saying that “it is quite a stable virus”.

You can catch coronavirus from your pet: While the 2019-nCoV may have come from animals, domestic pets do not pose a risk of transmission in Australia.

Dr Chant said while there is still much to be learned about this strain, the illness appears less severe than SARS or MERS, and many people with the disease may have a mild illness.