[Sent by Gov.sg – 12 Feb]

Your questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) answered - by infectious disease expert Dr Leong Hoe Nam

How does it spread?

Much like familiar cold viruses or influenza, COVID-19 spreads primarily by respiratory droplets, which come out through saliva or when we sneeze. It is not in the air.

Is it possible to contract COVID-19 from someone who is not showing symptoms?

Those with no symptoms are less likely to have nasal discharge or cough, and are hence less likely to transmit. In truth, we suspect the actual risk to be very low.

What treatments exist to help COVID-19 patients?

Most of the time, best supportive care (i.e. adequate hydration, food and oxygen when needed) will work for more than 90% of patients.

Watch in full: go.gov.sg/covid19-expert2

On the COVID-19 situation in Singapore: go.gov.sg/covid19-sg