More than 70 countries around the world have closed their schools.

Australia is not among them.

Watch the video above

Ireland, Israel, Portugal and Poland are just a few of the countries where there have so far been fewer cases of coronavirus than in Australia, but students have nevertheless been sent home nationwide.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said such a drastic step is unnecessary but infectious diseases expert Professor Nigel McMillan says COVID-19 will force the inevitable.

“Schools will close eventually, it’s really a matter of when, not if,” he told Seven’s Sunrise on Monday.

56 countries have closed all educational institutions. Credit: UNESCO

As the spread of the virus in the community widens, governments will have their hands forced, the director of Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute said.

Given the spread is widest in NSW, McMillan said he expected that state to be the first to announce a closure of all educational institutions.

Counter intuitive

When asked about closing schools, the PM said such a move would be counter intuitive.

“When you take children out of schools and put them back in the broader community, the ability for them to potentially engage with others increases the risk,” he said.

More on 7NEWS.com.au

But McMillan suggested the logic was flawed.

“With all due respect to the prime minister, I wonder what he thinks those students do when they’re out of school (now), if they’re not hanging around malls or anything,” he said.

“We may close schools but we’re not closing education. And I think schools are well prepared for this.”

The new national cabinet, made up of state and federal leaders, is expected to revisit the issue of schools closures on Friday.

How can you tell the difference between the coronavirus, the flu, a cold or seasonal allergies? Credit: Sam Aitken, 7NEWS

According to UNESCO, an unprecedented number of children, youth and adults are not attending schools or universities because of COVID-19, with governments in 73 countries announcing widespread closures.

Fifty-six countries have closed schools outright, impacting more than 516.6 million students.

A further 17 countries have implemented localised school closures.

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

The latest strain was discovered in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

How do you get coronavirus?

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.

It’s primarily spread through a sick person coughing or sneezing on someone but a person could also become infected through contact with the virus particles on a surface, NSW Health warns.

What are coronavirus symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Most of those affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

How dangerous is the coronavirus?

The virus has caused alarm because it is still too early to know how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people.

How do you treat coronavirus?

As it stands, there is no vaccine for the virus and, because it is new, humans have not been able to build immunity to it.

A group of Melbourne researchers have been tasked with finding a vaccine, while China is testing the HIV drug Aluvia as a treatment.

Where can I find further information on coronavirus?

There is a coronavirus hotline, 1800 020 080

The Coronavirus Health Information Line operates 24/7.

The Federal Government’s Health Department also has a dedicated coronavirus page on its website.

How do I protect myself from coronavirus?

WHO’s standard recommendations: