#YouAsked Covid-19 Can the South African government track someone’s phone during lockdown? Source South African minister of communications and digital technologies Short answer Can the South African government track someone’s phone during lockdown? Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, minister of communications and digital technologies, told a media briefing on 2 April that the lockdown regulations allowed the government to obtain the location information for a cellphone number if the owner had tested positive for Covid-19. The minister of cooperative gov... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Does lemon kill the coronavirus? Source World Health Organization Short answer Does lemon kill the coronavirus? There is no scientific basis to claims that lemon – whether mixed with baking soda or boiled for steam – cures Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. More: No, lemon and baking soda mix doesn’t cure Covid-19 ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is there a rapid test for the new coronavirus in South Africa or must the test be done by a lab? Source National Institute for Communicable Diseases Short answer Is there a rapid test for the new coronavirus in South Africa or must the test be done by a lab? The National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa has advised against the use of the rapid tests that measure the presence of antibodies to diagnose Covid-19.“Testing for SARS-CoV-2 [the virus] is done in a specialised molecular laboratory, and turn-around times for results are 24-4... Back Full answer
FEATURED #YouAsked Covid-19 Does heat kill the new coronavirus? Source World Health Organization Short answer Does heat kill the new coronavirus? The World Health Organization has warned that neither taking a hot bath nor exposing yourself to sunshine or temperatures higher than 25°C will prevent Covid-19. Using a hand dryer also doesn’t kill the virus. More: Hot baths, hot hand dryers and other heat will NOT kill coronavirus ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Are visitation rights allowed for co-parents during South Africa’s lockdown? Source Department of Social Development Short answer Are visitation rights allowed for co-parents during South Africa’s lockdown? Update (07/04/2020): On 7 April, the department issued amended directions. These allow for the movement of children in particular circumstances.According to directions issued by the department of social development on 30 March, children may not be moved between co-parents during the 21-day lockdown.... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 When will South African schools reopen? Source South African minister of basic education Short answer When will South African schools reopen? On 26 March, Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said rumours that schools would open in September were false. She urged South Africans to ignore information that did not come from the department.When schools reopen would depend on whether the country manages to “flatten the curve” durin... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is the malaria drug chloroquine a cure for Covid-19? Source South African minister of health Short answer Is the malaria drug chloroquine a cure for Covid-19? Update (25/04/2020): The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has warned that chloroquine can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Chloroquine is being investigated as a possible treatment for Covid-19. It is not an approved cure. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned people agai... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Should I use Dettol on surfaces to kill the new coronavirus? Source Dettol Short answer Should I use Dettol on surfaces to kill the new coronavirus? Dettol products have not yet been tested against the new coronavirus strain. More: No, Dettol surface cleanser not proven to kill 2019 coronavirus ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 What is Covid-19? Source World Health Organization Short answer What is Covid-19? Covid-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. A coronavirus is part of a large family of viruses that cause illness in people and animals. The new coronavirus is the most recently discovered coronavirus. The full name of the virus that causes Covid-19 is severe acute r... Back Full answer