What might the winter cold mean for the spread of coronavirus in Australia?

The world is looking for signs that the arrival of warmer weather in the northern hemisphere could help countries like Italy and Spain contain large outbreaks of COVID-19. But as Australia heads into winter, what might that mean for the spread of coronavirus here?

A man seen in a street during a snowfall. Source: TASS

Many respiratory infections are spread in droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

According to disease experts, when the air is cold and dry, those droplets float in the air for longer and travel further, infecting more people.

But does COVID-19 act like other viruses?

University of Sydney associate professor of respiratory medicine Greg Fox says the disease hasn't been around long enough to be sure.