COVID-19 is not caused by a bacteria.

COVID-19 is caused by a virus called coronavirus that causes upper-respiratory tract illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

COVID-19 is caused by a virus called coronavirus that causes upper-respiratory tract illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.A widely-shared post on the internet falsely claims that COVID-19 is a blood clotting condition caused by bacteria, and it should be treated with “antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulants”.

Coronavirus is not a type of bacteria. There are hundreds of coronaviruses, most of which circulate among animals such as pigs, camels, bats, and cats. Sometimes those viruses jump and spread among humans and can cause diseases. Seven known coronaviruses have emerged so far, out of which four causes mild to moderate diseases in people. The three known coronaviruses are SARS coronavirus, the MERS coronavirus, and the SARS-CoV-2- which caused Covid-19 which is known to be deadly.

SARS-Cov-2 emerged from Wuhan, China in December 2019 and was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Scientists have been studying the disease and its cause, and the full analysis shows that the disease has sequenced the genetic material of the virus. According to WHO, some people who become ill with COVID-19 can also develop a bacterial infection as a complication.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.