NATIONWIDE -- The Centers for Disease Control this week updated its novel coronavirus guidance to state the virus does not easily spread from touching infected surfaces or objects, offering some relief to those worried about contracting it.

What You Need To Know


  • CDC updates guidelines to state novel coronavirus does not spread easily from surfaces, objects

  • Person-to-person contact still thought to be primary way virus spreads 

  • Hand washing, social distancing still recommended 

“COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning about how it spreads,” the CDC’s website states.

The agency goes on to say that while touching surfaces or objects with the virus on them and then touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes may cause someone to become infected, it is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In addition, the CDC states that the risk of spreading the virus from person to animal or from animal to person appears to be low. It appears to have happened in some situations, however.

The CDC does continue to warn about what appears to be the primary way the virus is spread, through person-to-person contact. This occurs in the following ways:

  • Between people are in close contact with one another
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes, coughs or speaks

The CDC continues to stress that the best ways to avoid the virus include maintaining a safe distance from people, frequent hand washing and routinely cleaning and sanitizing surfaces.