TRANSMISSION

COVID-19 is primarily transmitted through

• inhalation of infected respiratory droplets
• contact of the mucosal surfaces of the eyes, nose and mouth after touching
contaminated objects and surfaces.
Other possible modes of transmission
• Prolonged viral shedding in stool of infected children has been documented.
Transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2
• placenta and cord blood tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 via PCR after delivery
of a stillbirth fetus.
• 11 infants born to mothers with COVID-19 who had detectable IgM and IgG
antibodies but were tested negative for the virus after delivery which
indicates the possibility of natural passive immunity via the transplacental
transfer of maternal antibodies.
• the spread of COVID-19 in family clusters with confirmed COVID-19 infection in
children, 79% of households had an adult family member diagnosed with
COVID-19 before the onset of symptoms in the COVID-19-infected child.
• only 8% of households did the child develop symptoms first before any other
household contact.