Chinese scientists have reported finding live coronavirus on doorknobs and in human feces.

What does that mean in terms of transmitting the the virus?

CGTN asked Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health for his take.

He said, "on an inanimate object, although you find virus on there, it doesn't really live there very long.... But for a relatively brief period of time, it is possible that someone can grab a doorknob, that someone had virus all over their hands and then just touch their face or their nose and get transmitted."

He said the most important thing you can do to prevent getting infected is wash your hands, and to do so frequently.

He added that "we're just learning about this because this is a brand new virus that we know very little of."

The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is showing no signs of letting up, as China quarantines millions of people and travel restrictions are issued around the world.  

The first case of the coronavirus in the U.S. state of Wisconsin was reported on Wednesday. The total number in the U.S. stands at 12. 

Scientists are taking concrete moves to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

Fauci said, "We're very actively involved in developing a vaccine. We've already started in the development. We likely will go into phase one trials to determine safety within the next two to three months." 

He said the timetable for a vaccine is "easily a year and maybe more, at best."