The most current evidence shows the virus transmits easily between people, most often through droplets generated by coughs and sneezes. Part of the idea of social distancing is that droplets can generally carry for only 5 to 6 feet. If you’re farther than that, your chances of getting the virus are generally lower.
There continues to be debate about how far the virus can travel in the air. Based upon UC Davis Health evidence and peer-reviewed research, UC Davis Health believes the virus can be spread through the air by coughing, sneezing, or through aerosol generating procedures (AGPs), such as intubation, which create small droplet spread. UC Davis Health does not believe the virus is truly airborne, like measles, where persons in adjacent rooms or floors above or below may become infected. While droplets can be detected in the air farther than 6 feet, it does not appear these particles contain enough active virus to deliver an infection-causing dose.
COVID-19 may also be spread by people who are not showing symptoms (i.e., “asymptomatic”). The disease might be transmitted when people touch, or cough on, a surface or object and then touch their face, nose or mouth or eyes. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Current data and information also suggest that the risk of COVID-19 spreading from pets to people is low as well.
Receiving an infection-causing level of virus appears to be dependent upon several factors, including amount of virus transmitted as determined by a combination of ventilation level in the area, time spent being exposed to the virus, and level of PPE used by both people involved.