The facts about how the coronavirus spreads seem to keep changing - and when it comes to contracting COVID-19, experts say to focus on people, not surfaces.

For months, many have been using disinfectants and cleaning frequently touched surfaces to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.

New guidelines from the CDC now say the virus does not spread easily from touching surfaces and objects.

This is the latest change in the understanding of the disease.

The CDC acknowledges in its new guidelines that they are still learning about how COVID-19 spreads.

"This is how this disease works," says pediatrician Dr. John Zaso. "Every other day we're chaning our facts very quickly."

The agency currently says the virus spreads easily between people, and does not spread easily in other ways, including from surfaces, objects, and between animals and humans.

The CDC has a few recommendations on how to protect yourself and others. The top item on the list is social distancing. It then says people should wash their hands.

The CDC still recommends that people routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. That's because it could still be possible to contract the virus from inanimate objects — though now it is saying it's far less likely.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond