Pregnant women should try to keep away from people showing coronavirus symptoms as they are “more susceptible to infection”, Dr Harries said.
Answering a question from a viewer about the risks to pregnant women, Dr Harries told BBC News: “We do know when they are pregnant they are more susceptible to infection. So we would generally advise, whether it is coronavirus or flu, that you try to stay away from people when they are symptomatic.”
She added: “The good news is the early evidence we have is that the virus doesn’t pass from what we call vertical transmission, through mum to baby.”
Dr Harries added that women should also take “precautions” when breastfeeding if they become ill.
The coronavirus can remain on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, Dr Harries said.
She told BBC News: “Generally, it stays longer on hard surfaces. On soft surfaces it probably doesn’t last much more than 24 hours, and on hard surfaces, most of it is gone by about 48.
“But our advice has been very precautionary and we are using a 72-hour upper limit. Having said that, you can actually clean it.
“It is not a particularly strong virus, it will be cleaned quite well with normal household detergents and bleach.”
