By UTHMAN Samad.

Since the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus across the world, there have been lot of misconceptions and misinformation about the Virus. Famous among the argument is whether Covid-19 is airborne or not. TheICIR chronicles the available facts and evidence about the novel Coronavirus.

ACCORDING to the International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID), Coronaviruses (CoVs), a large family of single-stranded RNA viruses, can infect animals and also humans, causing respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and neurologic diseases, CoVs are further divided into four genera: alpha-coronavirus, beta- coronavirus, gamma-coronavirus and delta-coronavirus.

To date, there are six human coronaviruses (HCoVs) being identified, including the alpha-CoVs HCoVs-NL63 and HCoVs-229E and the beta-CoVs HCoVs-OC43, HCoVs-HKU1, severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV (SARS-CoV), and Middle East respiratory syndrome-CoV (MERS-CoV).

New coronaviruses appear to emerge periodically in humans, mainly due to the high prevalence and wide distribution of coronaviruses, the large genetic diversity and frequent recombination of their genomes, and the increasing of the human-animal interface activities. The Covid-19 is the currently ravaging disease with over one million cases world-wide.

Keywords: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Coronavirus (CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

History of Covid-19

In late December 2019, a number of local health authorities reported clusters of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause, which were epidemiologically linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

The pathogen, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), was identified by local hospitals using a surveillance mechanism for “pneumonia of unknown etiology” that was established in the wake of the 2003 SARS outbreak with the aim of allowing timely identification of novel pathogens.

Since December 2019, multiple cases occurring un-explainable pneumonia were successively reported in some hospitals in Wuhan city with a history of exposure to a large seafood market in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. It has been confirmed to be an acute respiratory infection caused by a novel coronavirus. So far, this disease has rapidly spread from Wuhan to China’s other areas, and 66 countries. And then, clustered cases and confirmed cases without a history of travel to Wuhan emerged as the s disease started to advance.

To help create awareness and tackle its spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) on 12 January 2020 named the virus, it was given the name-tag, ‘Covid-19’.

In the following month, the 2019-nCoV  was reorted to have quickly spread inside and outside of Hubei Province and even other countries. Another issue that rocked the global community, was the sharp increase of the case number  which caused widespread panic among the people.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that CoVID-19 is a “public-health emergency of international concern” . The pandemic is escalating rapidly. TheICIR searched the associated literature in CoVID-19 to summarize the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatments and preventions of the infection of SARS-CoV-2.

As the time of filing this report, no specific approved cure for the pandemic have globally agreed upon as over 65 thousand deaths have been recorded world wide. According to TheICIR Covid-19 dash board, as at press time, recorded over 222 thousand persons with more than 1 million cases globally.

The argument

According to Neeltje van Doremalen, Dylan H. Morris, et al’s conclusion published in New England Journal of Medicine tiltled “Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1″ published in the midst of the pandemic, on March 17th, 2020, the scientists who analysed the aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2, compared it with SARS-CoV-1 and postulated that the longest viability of both viruses was on stainless steel and plastic as the estimated median half-life of SARS-CoV-2 was approximately 5.6 hours on stainless steel and 6.8 hours on plastic. This was reached  after an intensive evaluation of the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 in aerosols and on various surfaces and  their decay rates were also estimated using a Bayesian regression model.

The data for the experiment was performed on 10 experimental conditions involving two viruses (SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1) in five environmental conditions (aerosols, plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard). All experimental measurements are reported as means across three replicates.

At the end of the experiment, the scientists concluded that Covid-19 is not an airborne virus. But it can be contracted through contact with infected surfaces of plastic and stainless steel.

On the covid-19 contracting mechanism, another contradictory argument postulated that Covid-19 can be transmitted through air (airborne).

According to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in a letter written to the Kelvin Droegemeier, head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, posited that that the novel coronavirus can spread through the air as not just via the large droplets emitted in a cough or sneeze.

Despite the inconclusiveness of current studies “the results of available studies are consistent with aerosolization of virus from normal breathing,” Harvey Fineberg, who heads a standing committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats, wrote.

The NAS panel raised concerns that personal protective equipment (PPE) could itself be a source of airborne contamination.

“A study of SARS-CoV-2 raises concerns about transmission via aerosols generated from droplet contaminated surfaces. Liu, et. al. collected 35 aerosol samples in two hospitals and public areas in Wuhan. From samples collected in patient care areas the highest concentration of virus was found in toilet facilities (19 copies m-3), and in medical staff areas the highest concentrations were identified in personal protective equipment (PPE) removal rooms (18-42 copies m-3). By comparison, in all but two crowded sites, the concentrations of virus found in public areas was below 3 copies m-3. The authors
conclude that a direct source of SARS-CoV-2 may be a virus-laden aerosol resuspended by the doffing of PPE, the cleaning of floors, or the movement of staff. It may be difficult to re-suspend particles of a respirable size.

However, fomites could be transmitted to hands, mouth, nose or eyes without requiring direct respiration into the lungs”.

This stance by Harvey Fineberg can be associated with the result of the researchers at Wuhan University in China led by Yuan Liu found that the novel coronavirus can be re-suspended in the air when healthcare workers remove their personal protective equipment (PPE), clean the floors, and move through infected areas.

Before these report, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and other health agencies have insisted the primary route of transmission for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is through the larger respiratory droplets, up to 1 millimeter across, that people expel when they cough and sneeze. Gravity grounds these droplets within 1 or 2 meters, although they deposit the virus on surfaces, from which people can pick it up and infect themselves by touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. But if the coronavirus can be suspended in the ultrafine mist that we produce when we exhale, protection becomes more difficult, strengthening the argument that all people should wear masks in public to reduce unwitting transmission of the virus from asymptomatic carriers.

With the contrasting stances, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) through human respiratory droplets and contact with infected persons is clear, the aerosol transmission (airborne) of SARS-CoV-2 has been studied.

CONCLUSION

While efforts continue to ascertain the globally agreed nature of the Coronavirus and a cure for it, the checks and findings by The ICIR has revealed that two positions are clear, the Covid-19 is a respiratory disease, the Covid-19 can also be contracted through surface droppings and contact with infected persons. So, the Covid-19 can be said to be airborne under special conditions.

Findings also show that against the misconception that Covid-19 can be contracted by merely breathing in an infected area, such as not been established as a verifiable or globally accepted claim. The best we have is close metres to an infected person but not by generally breathing in air.

CLAIM: Raw onions, garlics cure coronavirus

THE video showing a woman who claimed that ingesting raw onions and garlics is capable of curing the deadly coronavirus in Nigeria has again gone viral on social media.

The video has been spreading mainly on Whatsapp mobile messaging application and Twitter.

As of 24 March, 375,498 persons have contracted  the Coronavirus globally, while 16,362 deaths recorded in 196 countries, with no cure.

The anonymous woman claimed that once the onion or garlic is consumed or sliced and placed at room corners, people infected of COVID-19 will be cured.

She said the vegetables also could be blended into smoothes and ingested.

“I’m here to introduce another prevention for coronavirus across the globe. Please and please all the fathers and mothers, go and get your garlic and onions. It is good and it kills the virus. It is good for protection,” she said.

“Use it as many as possible; eat the raw one anytime, any day. It works. Please share and save someone.”

“E ran enikan lowo,” she said in local Yoruba language meaning help somebody.

“Use a knife to cut it and put it in your room. If you have 10 rooms, put it in your 10 rooms. Put it in your living rooms, toilets, kitchen at the corners my brethren.”

“Go and get your onions as many as possible. Get it and use it raw any day, anytime and any hour. Blend and use the water for protection,” she dramatically appealed to the public with strong self-conviction.

Findings

As at the time of this fact-check, COVID-19 disease has gotten no cure.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is still working with scientists to get a cure via a model described as solidarity clinical trial.

The absence of a reliable cure for the coronavirus  also has been stated repeatedly by government authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

My mum has put an onion in the corner of every room in the house because whatsapp advised her to. This is the peak of the whatsapp mother’s cult. I am unable to can lmao pic.twitter.com/KF894u0aHt

— ayylmao (@temmyoseni73) March 23, 2020

Though several reports, for instance, the Times of India has reported that swallowing onions, garlic could help fight lung infections and reduce cholesterol level in the body, the report has no scientific backing.

Moreover, there are no verifiable or scientific proofs to affirm the claim that onions could stop people from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

Sanja Jelic, a Medical Doctor and expert in pulmonary diseases in a medically reviewed report also maintained that onion cannot stop flu or cold as claimed.

“There is nothing special about an onion that would kill these pathogens.”

But David Cooley, Raw Food Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant argued that consumption of some local foods could help better respiration. Ginger intake, he stated in his article titled foods that help the respiratory system, detoxifies the lungs, garlic is capable of cleaning the lungs while onions could safeguard the lungs linings.

“Onions — loaded with flavonoids (antioxidant), which help fight inflammation from asthma by strengthening the capillary walls. They also can protect the lining of lungs and bronchial tubes from damage caused by pollution,” says Cooley but never said their intake could cure the deadly disease. He did not also make reference to any particular study.

Verdict  

There are no proven and scientifically-backed evidence to show that consuming onions and garlic can cure a victim of COVID-19.

There are also no proofs that the two identified vegetables could protect people from contracting the deadly disease, let alone placing sliced onions by the room corners as a preventive measure.

Therefore, the claims are false as they lack credible evidence.

AS of Monday 23rd March, over 2,182 deaths have been recorded in Spain due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Globally,  World Health Organisation (WHO) put the casualty figure at over 9,000 deaths, and 210,000 cases.

Nigeria has just recorded one death and 36 cases.

CLAIMS

But, the claim recently flying across the social media, as a result of the increasing number of cases is that the survivors of  COVID-19 would suffer almost 50 per cent lungs damage.

The claim which allegedly came from an unidentified consultant at the Infectious Disease Unit of  Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) stated that the survivors would be placed on medication for the rest of their life.

“…those who recover from COVID-19 suffers close to 50 per cent of lungs damage, permanently, which means they will be on medication forever or they may die from complications in a few years after recovery from COVID-19,” the unidentified source stated, attributing the claims to an unknown medical practitioner.

“Covid-19 will almost certainly be fatal to anyone who has respiratory illness, kidney or liver disease before infection because the organs are usually its target.”

Findings

Medical experts since the COVID-19 outbreak have expressed concerns on likely adverse effects on survivors  of the virus infection. They are worried about the strength of the lungs and its functionality aftet victim’s recovery.

But a forensic pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden in a recent report says it would be too early to determine the future impact of the COVID-19 infection on the survived cases.

Though, he was worried there could be wounds on the lungs of the lucky survivors, there are no clear proofs from the WHO to affirm the permanent damage to the respiratory organ.

“Those who will die will largely die from lung infection,” Baden said as reported by FOX News.

“We don’t know how many people will have scarring from the lungs that will be present five, 10, 15 years from now, and cause shortness of breath and illness then.

“We only have about a month of experience here.”

A different report, detailing how experts in the United Kingdom Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) maintained an almost similar position that victims of the COVID-19 virus would develop Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

As a result, it might take up to 15 years for the lungs of COVID-19 survivor to heal.

The syndrome, the report revealed, prevents the victim’s lungs from providing sufficient oxygen to other vital organs in their body system.

“Like many other viral conditions, the effects of coronavirus are not just limited to the lungs. The heart can also be affected, ranging from inflammation (myocarditis) to heart failure,” FICM stressed.

Also, findings based on a study of 12 patients who recovered from the COVID-19 virus in Hong Kong revealed that about three persons had reduced lung function.

But, there are concerns it could be too early to conclude on the long-term implication.

“In some patients, lung function could decline by 20 to 30 per cent after recovery,” Tsang ak-yin, Medical Director, Infectious Diseases Centre at Princess Margaret Hospital, Hong Kong said.

This finding also aligns with the outcome of a study held in Wuhan, where Zhongnam Hospital Wuhan University reportedly analysed 140 lung scans of COVID-19 patients and discovered ‘ground-glass opacity in both lungs of each patient.’

But, it is expected that with further investigations on the recovered COVID-19 patients, it would establish whether the victims have developed scars in the lungs, otherwise known as pulmonary fibrosis or otherwise.

“Over time, the scar tissue can destroy the normal lung and make it hard for oxygen to get into the blood. Low oxygen levels (and the stiff scar tissue itself) can cause shortness of breath, particularly during physical exertion,” the study showed.

Verdict

While there are several scientific claims that health conditions of COVID-19 survivors might get worse especially, if there are wounds on the lungs due to the infection, studies also revealed the lungs could get healed over time.

In Nigeria, there is no public evidence from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), that the two discharged cases would be placed on medications for the rest of their lifetime.

There is also no such information from the WHO, except advice that the victims should eat nutritious foods to strengthen their immune system, limit alcohol consumption, smoking and avoid sugary drinks.

“This will not only help you in the long-term, it will also help you fight COVID-19 if you get it,” WHO DG said in its latest briefing held 20 March, 2020.

None of these institutions has made a public statement affirming the claim that survived victims of COVID-19 would have their lungs almost permanently damaged.

Therefore, the claim that survivors of  COVID-19 would suffer a permanent but  partial lung damage is exagerated and misleading.

SINCE the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the deadly COVID-19 disease pandemic, and prior to the declaration, several unproven claims have been made across the social platforms in Nigeria.

Some of these claims are exaggerated , others misleading.

Most recent among these assertions, however, include claims that the use of chloroquine is capable of curing COVID-19 disease.

The second claim says the Federal Government would conduct an aerial containment of the virus.

These two claims have been shared on whatsapp platform and other social media groups.

“Breaking News: Warning, Warning, Warning. Please nobody should be outside by midnight today, lock up your door and window.

“Don’t leave your clothes or shoes outside. Federal Government have announce the plan to spray chemicals on air tonight with private jet to protect the country because of coronavirus.”

Findings

First, since outbreak of the coronavirus, up till date, the WHO is yet to recommend any particular anti-virus as cure for the pandemic.

Most of the recommendations suggested as precautionary measures includes maintaining proper hygiene, covering of mouth especially when coughing, the use of face mask and maintaining social distance particularly when in public space.

Though, Scientists in the United States and China have shown interests in the use of chloroquine tablet, but it remains questionable, as the US Food and Drug Administration agency was reluctant to accept the drug shortly after President Donald Trump made a declaration adopting the drug.

On Friday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire was also indifferent recognising chloroquine as a reliable cure.

Ehanire aligned the position of the Nigerian government with that of the WHO, including the anticipated outcome from the UN agency.

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health also dispelled the use of chloroquine as an effective preventive cure.

He questioned efficiency of the drug with much expectation on more proven scientific results.

The commissioner also warned against the drug usage without medical supervision considering its severe side-effects,stressing that the state government would conduct its clinical trial on the drug’s effectiveness for either prevention or management.

“Use of chloroquine in COVID-19 infection by Lagos State. We do not have any hard evidence that chloroquine is effective in preventing or managing the coronavirus.

“We are watching the global research space to clearly define its efficiency in COVID-19,” Abayomi stated.

In its pinned tweet, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also advised Nigerians against the use of chloroquine, as wrong usage could lead to death.

“WHO has not approved the use of chloroquine for COVID-19 virus,” NCDC tweeted on Friday.

“Scientists are working hard to confirm the safety of several drugs for this disease. Please do not engage in self medication. This will cause arm and can lead to death.”

Meanwhile, regarding the aerial containment through the use of helicopters in Nigeria to spray disinfectants, there is also no available record as part of Nigeria’s COVID-19 preparedness plan.

The Health Minister, during his briefing also did not mention the adoption of helicopter in containing the virus.

Moreover, the assertion is marred with typographical errors and grammatical mistakes.

Although, few nations have developed public measures to sanitise the public space by openly disinfecting streets and other public spaces, no such action has been carried out by the federal government.

The only similar activity is to subject airport passengers to test through handheld temperature measuring devices, mostly during arrivals. They are also encouraged to make use of hand sanitisers.

Verdict

Based on the available piece of evidences, the claim that chloroquine usage could cure the deadly COVID-19 virus is questionable, and by extension could be described as false.

No global authority such as the United Nations WHO has approved use of chloroquine. The FDA and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has only accepted the drug as clinical trial.

On the second claim, there is no available public evidence to proof the use of helicopter in sanitising public space over night in Nigeria.

By Seun DUROJAIYE.

SINCE the outbreak of coronavirus, a respiratory disease which was first recorded in Wuhan, China, became an epidemic and graduated to becoming a pandemic, it has triggered panic across the world.

Given the nature and spread of the virus which has now infected over 100,000 globally and killed 3,800 people, the absence of a known cure or vaccine has led many to result to taking drastic measures in attempt to ward off the deadly virus.

As such, a lot of misinformation and myths have been raised and the predominant tool of dissemination has been social media platforms.

There are statements being shared on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram which have garnered thousands of likes and re-shares, claiming that alcohol, garlic, bleach and even cocaine can avert or ‘cure’ the virus.

These suggested ‘cures’ have caused scores of deaths and more worrying, fake news about the virus keeps spreading at the speed of light.

Does cocaine kill coronavirus?

On Twitter, a verified account owned by a Nigerian music and entertainment developer with more than 190,000 followers identified as Bizzle Osikoya, tweeted a doctored image from a television breaking news segment, proposing that cocaine can cure coronavirus now known as COVID-19.

Osikoya’s tweet which was posted on February 3, has remained for over a month and has also been retweeted over 2,700 times and liked over 5,500 times, with no warning that the content is false.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug and some of the side effects include; constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, nausea, raised body temperature and blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors and muscle twitches.

Another tweet with similar viral effect was shared by one Sam Whyte, who has over 9,000 followers. In her tweet, Whyte, submitted that to combat coronavirus, cocaine, masturbation, staying in, and hand sanitiser were effective.

Her tweet generated over 4,000 likes and hundreds of retweets. However, unlike Osikoya, Whyte posted a disclaimer, stating that her tweet are barely ever factual, however her rebuttal got just 20 likes.

French Government disclaims cocaine as cure to COVID-19

To suppress the false information, the French Ministry of Health shared a tweet, saying “No, cocaine does not protect against COVID-19. Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug. Using it can seriously harm people’s health and create undesirable effects.”

It as a myth, chlorine dioxide cannot kill virus in your body — WHO

Another major misinformation declared that drinking beach or chlorine dioxide (aka ‘MMS’) can ‘cure’ coronavirus.

In a tweet by Jordan Sather, which also attracted nearly 3,000 likes and nearly 2,000 retweets, Sather, a Youtuber with over 121,000 followers, submitted that: “Not only is chlorine dioxide (aka ‘MMS’) an effective cancer cell killer, it can wipe out coronavirus too, Big Pharma wants you ignorant,” his tweet read.

WHO has shared preventive measures that can be adopted to protect one from contracting coronavirus. According to the organisation, frequent hand washing with soap and water, avoidance of direct contact with an infected persons, among many other things are the most effective ways of preventing an infection.