The spread and treatment of COVID-19 are believed to be the most famous topic lately. In this article, you will be notified of the confirmed and possible channels of transmission of the virus.

1. Droplet transmission / Confirmed by experts

  
The virus in droplets can be transmitted within a short distance, ranging from 1 meter to 3 meters through sneezing, coughing, spitting, spitting and others. Hong Kong infection and infectious disease doctor, Zeng Qiyin said that if the droplets are in places with high airflows, such as in subway cars, they can spread beyond dozens of meters. Besides, it is also likely to be infected if your hands are tainted with the virus and you use your hands to rub your eyes. Therefore, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently can help to reduce transmission.

2. Contact transmission/ Confirmed by expert

Jiang Rongmeng, an expert of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Beijing Ditan Hospital, as well as an expert from the National Health Commission of China, stated that the droplets expelled from the mouth would land on the surface of nearby objects such as door handles, elevator buttons, stair handrails, and others.

Studies have also discovered that the virus can sustain for several hours if it is landed on a smooth surface, and the virus can survive for several days if there are suitable temperature and humidity. In an environment of 20 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 40%, the study unearthed that the virus can survive up to 5 days. Thus, make sure to wash your hands because you might have in contact with virus-contaminated objects. 

3. Infections without symptoms/ Confirmed by experts

Qiu Haibo, an expert from the National Health and Medical Commission and deputy director of the Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University, said that some people defeated the virus with their strong immunity. These infected patients whose respiratory tracts have been adhered to by viruses may not have any symptoms at more but they might experience fatigue, low fever, or thirst. They are mild patients, but there are chances that their condition might be severe too.

After recovery and being discharged from the hospital, these recovered patients will not be re-infected with this type of coronavirus within six months, because their bodies have developed antibodies to the virus. Although this antibody is not life-long, at least it has the ability to resist it.

4. Transmission between mammals/experts indicate a possibility

Li Lanjuan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a member of the high-level expert group of the National Health and Health Commission, said that the COVID-19 can be transmitted between mammals, so it is advisable to guard against wild mammals. Moreover, it is also expedient to keep domestic pets at home and not to let them out to avoid them being exposed to the virus. 

5. Fecal and anal transmission/experts indicate a possibility

A collective study by the People's Hospital of Wuhan University and the Wuhan Institute of Virology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that COVID-19 viruses were found in the stool and anal swab specimens of infected patients.

Although no live virus has been identified and only the nucleic acid test is positive, but this result should not be ignored because there is a high likelihood that stools of infected patients contained live viruses too. Therefore, it can be another course of spreading the new coronavirus. 

6. Vertical mother-to-child transmission / Experts worried about this possibility, which has not been confirmed

Lately, two babies were born in Wuhan were infected with the COVID-19. Hence, medical experts believed that this pandemic is likely to be transmitted vertically through the mother.

Therefore, pregnant women are reminded to avoid contact with infected patients, and the infected mothers need to be mentally prepared for the possibility that their baby might have been infected.

COVID-19 is not a small matter and the whole world is on high alert. Even we are in Malaysia, we must be careful as well. Wearing masks and washing hands are the most important things to do now!