A message is being shared widely on social media with a claim that Israel has reported zero COVID-19 deaths because they have found the cure for COVID-19. It is being claimed that drinking the mixture of lemon and baking soda as hot tea can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 disease. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.
Claim: No COVID-19 deaths in Israel as they found a cure for COVID-19 – a mixture of lemon and baking soda.
Fact: As on 16 April 2020, Israel reported 126 deaths due to COVID-19. Also, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the mixture of lemon and baking soda can kill SARS-CoV-2 virus. As of today, there is no mixture/medicine to prevent or cure COVID-19. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
On the WHO website, the status of each country regarding COVID-19 can be found. According to the situation report on 16 April 2020, Israel reported 126 deaths due to COVID-19. The first COVID-19 death in Israel was reported on 20 March 2020. So, it is not true that Israel has zero COVID-19 deaths.
Also, no information regarding the mixture of lemon and baking soda killing SARS-CoV-2 virus was found. On the WHO website, it can be read that ‘while some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease’.
When a similar message went viral with a claim that alkaline foods can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, FACTLY has debunked the claim and written a fact-check article, which can be read here.
To sum it up, Israel has reported COVID-19 deaths. Also, the mixture of lemon and baking soda cannot kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Did you watch our new video?
