The deadly novel coronavirus is still continuously spreading in the different parts of the world. News had spread on different platforms. These recent outflows of COVID-19-related cases had resulted in a combination of facts and fiction. During a dangerous and widespread outbreak, rumors and misinformation could result in deadly consequences, says an article.

Here is a list of some of the common myths about the novel coronavirus:

Myth #1: You have a lower chance of getting the COVID-19 than the common flu.

This is not entirely true. According to scientists, how a virus spreads can be calculated through its basic reproduction number or R0. R0 estimates the total number of people who can get a bug from a single infected individual.

Currently, the R0 of the virus that causes the COVID-19 is approximately 2.2. It means that one infected individual can spread the disease to 2.2 more on average.

The R0 of the common flu is 1.3.

Myth #2: The novel coronavirus is a mutated version of the common cold.

The novel coronavirus is not the mutated version of the common cold. The novel coronavirus is part of a big family of coronaviruses that cause different illnesses. The novel coronavirus is not similar to other coronaviruses where four can cause the common cold. All of the five coronaviruses have spikes on their surfaces. The coronaviruses use these spikes to infect host cells.

Myth #3: The novel coronavirus was made in a laboratory.

No evidence reveals the novel coronavirus is made by man. The virus is similar to other coronaviruses that caused outbreaks in the past such as SARS and MERS. These three viruses are seen to have originated from bats. These viruses had found a way to transfer from animals to humans.

Myth #4: Contracting the COVID-19 is similar to getting a death sentence.

Approximately, 81% of the total infected patients of the novel coronavirus had mild cases of the COVID-19, says a study published on February 18.

Out of the total infected people, approximately 13.8% are reported to have suffered severely from the illness. These people had experienced shortness of breath and needed supplemental oxygen.

Approximately 4.7% are in critical condition where they are already experiencing respiratory failure, multi-organ complications, or septic shock. This information suggests that only 2.3% of those who get the virus lose their life.

The elderly and with serious health conditions are at a higher risk of dying from the COVID-19.

Myth #5: Pets can spread new coronavirus.

There is no affirmation that the novel coronavirus can transfer from a pet to its owner. There was a dog reported in China that caught a 'low-level infection' from its owner. The owner of the dog was a COVID-19 patient. This means that dogs can pick up the virus from humans, says The South China Morning Post. The infected Pomeranian had not fallen sick or shown any symptoms of the COVID-19.

There is still no evidence that suggests pets can infect humans.

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