1. The novel coronavirus pneumonia is a new coronavirus belonging to β genus. Current research shows that its homology with bat SARS-like coronavirus (bat-SL-CoVZC45) is more than 85 percent.

2. The virus is sensitive to ultraviolet light and heat.

3. The virus can be inactivated at 56 C for 30 minutes. Ethyl ether, 75 percent ethanol, chlorine disinfectant, peracetic acid, and chloroform are known to be effective as well.

4. Chlorhexidine has been found to be ineffective in inactivating the virus.

5. Patients infected with the new coronavirus are the major source of infection in others.

6. Asymptomatic carriers can also be a source of transmission.

7. Asymptomatic cases have a weaker transmissibility. According to Li Xingwang, a member of China's national medical expert team against the coronavirus, those patients without symptoms are less contagious as they carry a low viral load. People usually catch the disease through close contact with infected patients, which is often the case among family members.

8. Zhong Nanshan, a leading expert tackling the virus, said, "Early detection and early isolation are currently the most effective ways to prevent and control the epidemic."

9. The World Health Organization (WHO) says the current outbreak of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus does not constitute a global epidemic at this stage.

10. The major routes of the coronavirus infection are respiratory droplets and contact transmission.

11. The transmission routes of the novel coronavirus through aerosols and digestive tracts have yet to be confirmed.

12. All age groups including children are susceptible to novel coronavirus pneumonia.

13. The incubation period ranges from 1 to 14 days, with most patients starting to get symptoms within 3 to 7 days.

14. Major symptoms are fever, fatigue and dry cough.

15. A minority of patients also show symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea.