Woman walking in the street while wearing a mask to protect herself and others from COVID-19

We continue to learn more about COVID-19 as medical experts and researchers progress with their work on the pandemic. While experts are still learning how the virus spreads, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has its theories, which it shares on it website.

The top way the virus spreads, the CDC believes, is through person-to-person contact. It's believed that the virus moves from an infected person to another through respiratory droplets that come from a person's nose or mouth. These droplets can be spread when the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The droplets are then picked up by another person when they inhale the droplets into their lungs.

The fact that COVID-19 is so easily spread between people in close quarters is the reason the great majority of experts preach "social distancing." 

It's believed that COVID-19 could be spread though a person's contact with a surface or object that has been contaminated. While this isn't believed to be the most common way in which COVID-19 is spread, it's still strongly encouraged that surfaces be routinely cleaned and disinfected and that people avoid touching their face with unwashed hands. This type of contamination is why the work of cleaning professionals is so important.

As alluded to above, the best ways to avoid COVID-19 contamination is to keep distance from others and to continuously properly wash hands with soap and water. It's also important that frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and keyboards be cleaned and disinfected routinely.