BEIJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Some rumors claim that using hand dryers for 30 seconds can kill the novel coronavirus.

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The fact is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), hand dryers are not effective in killing the new coronavirus. An effective protective measure is to frequently clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash hands with soap and water.
Once the hands are cleaned, people should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air dryer, the WHO suggested.
The world's leading health agency also busted the myth about antibiotics, saying that antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria.
The novel coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment, said the WHO.
However, if someone is hospitalized for the new coronavirus, the infected may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible, it added.