The detection of the new coronavirus in feces of infected patients does not mean the main routes of transmission – respiratory droplets and contact – have changed, an official with China's National Health Commission said at a press conference on Thursday.

Researchers at Guangzhou Medical University said they found the new coronavirus in stool samples taken from infected patients.

Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission, said some patients had reported experiencing diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disorders. Their stool samples tested positive for the new coronavirus, which suggests that the virus can multiply in the digestive tract of the patient.

But he also stressed that the most common clinical symptoms of the COVID-19 are fever, fatigue and cough.

Whether the new virus can be transmitted along the fecal-oral route is still unclear. Experts say more investigation and research are needed.

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Coronavirus found in patients' stool, what does this suggest?