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Fact Check: Fake WhatsApp forward claims Israel has no death from COVID-19 due to lemon-bicarbonate drink

The message is false and misleading.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2020, 20:07:57 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
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“In Israel no death from C-19!” this is how the first line of a fake message, which is now being widely circulated online, starts. It then goes onto say how there’s a cure for coronavirus and also falsely claims that the virus didn’t cause any deaths in the country. The message then details a supposed cure for the pandemic – a combination of lemon, water, and bicarbonate (baking soda). Further the message even presents an explanation that the mixture “alkalizes the immune system” and that’s why “people of Israel is relaxed about this virus”.

The message is fake and misleading. (Screengrab)
The message is fake and misleading. (Screengrab)

It’s being circulated widely on WhatsApp by many:

The fake news is now being shared by many.

Here are the other platforms where the message is being shared by people.

According to a popular daily, The Times of Israel, as of today, the numbers of patient in the country is over 3,000. Also, so far five people have died in Israel, as per reports published by several popular dailies, including Live Hindustan.

Further, there is no report by World Health Organsation (WHO) or other authoritative bodies on lemon and bicarbonate mixture being a cure for COVID-19.

Hence the claims that there are no COVID-19 cases in Israel or that this mixture can cure the virus are false

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
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