How is it transmitted and what is the incubation period?

COVID-19 is transmitted person-to-person, that is, transmission occurs through close contact with people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (direct transmission), or through contact with contaminated surfaces and objects (indirect transmission).

Transmission by close contact occurs mainly through droplets that contain viral particles that are released from the nose or mouth of infected people when they cough or sneeze, and which can directly reach the mouth, nose and eyes of those close to them.

Droplets can deposit on objects or surfaces that surround the infected person and thus infect other people when they touch these objects or surfaces with their hands, then touch their eyes, nose or mouth.

There is also evidence to suggest that transmission can occur from an infected person as early as two days before symptoms manifest.

Currently, it is estimated that the incubation period of the disease (time from exposure to the virus until symptoms appear) is between 1 and 14 days.

Source: DGS