COVID-19 is a new disease and there is more to learn about how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the world.
China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission, and there have been such transmissions elsewhere.
There is evidence that the virus spreads from person-to-person.
The virus is most likely spread through:
- close contact with an infectious person
- contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
- touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face
Person-to-person Coronavirus spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
All you need to know on Coronavirus
Where do Coronaviruses come from?
What is COVID-19? What is SARS-CoV-2?
Is this coronavirus comparable to SARS or to the seasonal flu (influenza)?
What is the mode of transmission?
How (easily) does Coronavirus spread?
Can someone spread the coronavirus without being sick?
Are some people at more coronavirus risk than others?
Is there a treatment for the COVID-19 disease?
When should I be tested for COVID-19?
How does the Coronavirus spread?
Have there been other coronaviruses?