How is COVID-19 primarily transmitted?

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets that are expelled when an infected person sneezes, coughs, talks, or breathes. These droplets can enter the mouths or noses of individuals nearby, leading to new infections. This form of transmission is especially concerning in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, where droplets can accumulate, increasing the likelihood of spread.

While other routes of transmission exist for various pathogens, they are not the primary mode for COVID-19. For instance, transmission through contaminated surfaces can occur, but it is less significant compared to direct respiratory droplet spread. Similarly, sexual transmission is not a recognized primary route for the virus, and drinking unclean water relates to different illnesses altogether. Thus, recognizing the primary mode of transmission is crucial for implementing effective public health strategies to reduce the spread, such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.