Margaret Harris, a spokeswoman for the World Health Organisation, told BBC’s Today Programme that “the main way in which it spreads is from hands to face, nose and mouth” from person to person. Ms Harris also stated that the coronavirus can spread via “droplets coughed and sneezed out” as well. The World Health Organisation spokesperson pointed to frequent handwashing as a good way to limit the risk of becoming infected.
Ms Harris said: “There are possibilities that people could be shedding virus so you do need to ensure that people understand that the main way in which it spreads is from hands to face, nose and mouth.
“Even though we know it definitely spreads via droplets coughed and sneezed out.
“It is possible that people are getting it in other ways.
“Essentially by transferring it from their hands to their mouth and nose.
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“That is why we really go on and on about hand washing.
“We sound very boring but it really is a major thing people can do to protect themselves.”
Coronavirus maps have tracked the deadly COVID-19 across more than 20 countries on its path from China, with nearly 80,000 cases worldwide as of February 24.
Officials have confirmed a total of 79,524 COVID-19 cases, 2,626 deaths and 25,157.
While the suspension is now lifted, experts continue to hunt for the origin of the latest outbreak, a “super spreader”.
According to authorities, the disease started making rounds last week when a man in his late 30s became critically ill in Codogno.
Coronavirus is believed to have first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan, in the eastern region of the country.
Several thousand cases were able to develop there before it spilled out into the rest of the world, initially to other provinces and nearby countries.