When was COVID-19 first reported?
On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.
Where was COVID-19 first discovered?
The first known infections from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan, China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.
When was the first case of COVID-19 reported in North America?
The first cases in North America were reported in the United States in January 2020.
What causes COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus strain.
What does COVID-19 stand for?
CO stands for corona, VI for virus, and D for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV. The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.
Is COVID-19 caused by a virus or a bacteria?
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a virus, NOT by bacteria.
What are coronavirus diseases?
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal.
How do viruses get their name?
Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines and medicines. Virologists and the wider scientific community do this work, so viruses are named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
What are the known coronaviruses that can infect people?
Human coronaviruses are capable of causing illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS, fatality rate ~34%). SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh known coronavirus to infect people, after 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, MERS-CoV, and the original SARS-CoV.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. 2019-nCoV is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
What are the official names of the virus that causes COVID-19 and the disease it causes?
Official names have been announced for the virus responsible for COVID-19 (previously known as “2019 novel coronavirus”) and the disease it causes. The official names are:Disease coronavirus disease (COVID-19)Virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
When was the official name of SARS-CoV-2 announced?
On 11 February 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses adopted the official name severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).