UPDATE 5:33 P.M.: Coronavirus now in Oregon.

As worries grow about the spread of coronavirus, public health officials have said repeatedly that the most-important thing people can do is to wash their hands frequently.

That’s good advice during any cold and flu season, but is particularly important as more coronavirus cases crop up around the globe.

CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON: FULL COVERAGE

The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand washing, particularly during times when you are likely to get and spread germs.

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating food

Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After using the toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

After handling pet food or pet treats

After touching garbage

Washing your hands sounds easy enough. But chances are you may not be doing it properly. Here are the WHO’s recommended steps for properly washing your hands. You should do these steps every time you wash.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), and apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap, starting rubbing palm to palm, followed by lathering the backs of your hands, between your fingers and thumbs, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water. Dry your hands using a clean paper towel, then use the paper towel to turn off the water to avoid recontamination from the faucet handle.

Can’t wash? Use hand sanitizer

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to clean your hands. But if soap and water aren’t available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. The CDC cautions that sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs, and their effectiveness goes down if your hands are really dirty or greasy. Also, they might not remove chemicals or other contaminants that might be on your hands, like pesticides.

MORE ON THE CORONAVIRUS IN OREGON:

Coronavirus quarantine kit: What you’ll need at home

How to properly wash hands to stop the spread of germs

How to prevent coronavirus, symptoms to watch for

What is the difference between coronavirus vs. COVID-19?

The U.S. surgeon general has a message for Americans -- stop buying masks now!

Keep kids home if they have fever, sniffles, other symptoms

-- Grant Butler

gbutler@oregonian.com

503-221-8566; @grantbutler

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.