Fact Check: Can UV rays kill the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Claim: UV rays kill coronavirus

Rating: False

What is rumour about?

new rumour that is circulating all over social media states that  UV rays can kill coronavirus. So, instead of sitting at home, one should sit under sun and absorb sunlight as much as possible. 

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Who started rumour?

• Social media users
• re were also reports of a Thai article published on March 2, 2020,  that has been circulating all over social media. It states that re are 7 things that COVID-19 virus is afraid of. article was shared aa lot of times after it was published on a health group on Facebook. 
• Since UV-C machines are used to kill Coronavirus and or viruses in enclosed areas like aeroplanes, hospitals, AC trains, etc, people started believing that UV rays could be used for human purposes as well. 
• Here are some Facebook posts that have shared this unverified rumour. 

Im courtesy: Facebook

Im courtesy: Facebook

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Google Trends 

After an analysis of Google Trends with respect to UV killing coronavirus topic, one can see that people have been hugely interested to kw wher UV rays can kill Coronavirus, for past 7 days. maximum number of searches have been done on March 28, April 1 and April 2, 2020. 

Im courtesy: Google Trends 

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Interest in people according to region

Im courtesy: Google Trends 

Republic World did a fact check on "UV rays killing coronavirus" rumour

• Republic World did a fact check on "UV rays killing coronavirus" rumour and found it to be False.
• Neir WHO r U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list UV rays or sunlight as a preventive measure for COVID-19. 
• Neir absorbing UV rays by sitting under sun, r using UV lamps have been found to be effective in protecting one from COVID-19.
• UV-C machines that are being used to disinfect hospitals and aeroplanes are said to be extremely hazardous to humans. It is said that exposing oneself to UV-C radiations directly could even harm one's skin, so humans are present while disinfection takes place in hospitals and aeroplanes. 
• Since 1878, UV-C has been used to kill microbes as a staple method of sterilisation. Yet some studies are yet to be carried out to find  effect of UV-C on humans and what role it plays in keeping virus away. 

Could UV-C help in killing vel Coronavirus?

• UV-C type of UV rays is currently gaining a lot of attention as according to reports, UV-C was seen to be effective when used against a type of coronavirus like SARS virus. 
• But studies have been published yet that state  use of UV-C rays effectively against vel Coronavirus. 
• For w, scientists are advocating to avoid using concentrated UV lamps as it may cause dam to  skin
• Check se myth-buster pictorials that WHO has shared regarding UV rays and use of UV lamps. Even taking hot water baths, or staying in hot temperatures is t a constraint to catch a COVID-19 infection. 

Im courtesy: WHO

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Is re any rumour you want Republic World to do a fact check on? Do you have facts about a rumour? Share your pictures or videos with Republic World on contact@republicworld.com or comment on this story itself. 

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