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  1. Routes of transmission incubation and the infectious period

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Understanding COVID-19 Transmission

Overview of Transmission Routes and Periods

Get insights into COVID-19 transmission, incubation, and infectious period:

Transmission Routes

Key points from gov.uk website:

  • COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets produced by coughing and sneezing.
  • Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated surfaces.
  • Aerosol-generating procedures pose an increased risk of spreading the virus.
  • COVID-19 virus has been detected in stools and conjunctival secretions of confirmed cases.

Incubation Period and Infectiousness

Important information on incubation and infectious period:

  • Incubation Period: Ranges from 1 to 14 days, with an average of 5 days.
  • Most patients are not infectious until the onset of symptoms, similar to SARS.
  • Infectiousness depends on the severity of symptoms and stage of illness.
  • Some individuals may be infectious before symptom onset, based on case reports.
  • Further research is needed to understand asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infection.
  • Most people have reduced infectivity 7 days after symptom onset, based on international data.