New Delhi: Amid the growing scare of the novel Coronavirus outbreak in the country, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Choubey on Thursday came up with a preposterous advice for those seeking protection against the deadly virus that has claimed over 8,000 lives globally so far. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Choubey said 10-15 minutes in the sun would build immunity as sunlight provides Vitamin D.

"From 11 am to 2 pm the sun is shining brightly. We should spend at least 10-15 minutes to absorb sunlight so that we get vitamin D which improves the immunity of our body and also kills such viruses. All should be aware of (this fact)," he said when asked about the spread of Coronavirus.

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This is not for the first time that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has come up with such bizarre medical advice. Choubey had earlier even claimed that consumption of cow urine could cure Cancer.

Choubey's absurd counsel came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged all Parliamentarians and ministers not to make outrageous or unscientific claims on the Coronavirus pandemic. He also asked everyone not to tweet or talk about remedies such as cow urine that may be promoted by fringe groups.

There are no mention of preventive measures such as Vitamin D or exposure to sun light listed in the three-page document released by Union Health Ministry earlier this week.

Here are some of the myth-busters shared by the World Health Organisation to dispel the rumours:

i. People of all ages CAN be infected by the Coronavirus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus

ii. Cold weather and snow CANNOT kill the Coronavirus

iii. The Coronavirus CAN be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates

iv. The Coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted through mosquito bites

v. There is NO evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can transmit the Coronavirus

vi. Taking a hot bath DOES NOT prevent the Coronavirus

vii. Hand dryers are NOT effective in killing the Coronavirus

viii. Ultraviolet light SHOULD NOT be used for sterilization and can cause skin irritation

ix. Thermal scanners CAN detect if people have a fever but CANNOT detect whether or not someone has the Coronavirus

x. Spraying alcohol or chlorine all over your body WILL NOT kill viruses that have already entered your body

xi. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine, DO NOT provide protection against the Coronavirus

xii. There is NO evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the Coronavirus

xiii. Garlic is healthy but there is NO evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the Coronavirus

xiv. Antibiotics DO NOT work against viruses, antibiotics only work against bacteria

xv. To date, there is NO specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the Coronavirus

COVID-19 cases in India climbed to 169 on Thursday after 18 fresh cases were reported from various parts of the country, according to the Union health ministry. The cases include 25 foreign nationals -- 17 from Italy, 3 from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore.

The figure also includes three deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka and Maharashtra so far.