Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Pandemic Outbreak: 10 Things You Need to Know

What Is a Coronavirus?

The coronavirus is a big family of pathogens. Some of them cause mild illnesses like the common cold. Others can cause fatal infections. A coronavirus gets its name from how it looks. Under an electron microscope, these pathogens exhibit spikes that resemble the angles of a crown. There are many coronaviruses that only infect animals. Some evolve in their animal hosts to infect humans. The type that infects humans was first identified in the 1960s. Since then, seven human-infecting types of coronavirus have been identified, including the new Coronavirus also known as COVID-2019.

For the latest news updates, facts, and resources, please visit the MedicineNet Coronavirus COVID-19 Health Center.

What Is Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)?

On Jan. 7, 2020, Chinese health authorities announced that they had isolated the virus spreading in Wuhan. This novel coronavirus was named initially referred to as 2019-nCoV and was also called Wuhan coronavirus because the first infected people came from Wuhan City, Hubei Province in China, a city of more than 11 million people and a major transportation hub. On February 11, 2020 the disease was officially named COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, officially named SARS-CoV-2. This virus resembles other serious human coronavirus types MERS and SARS in that all belong to the "beta" subgrouping of virus. The CDC notes that MERS and SARS both began as infections in bats before mutating to infect humans.

What Are the Symptoms of Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)?

The symptoms of this virus illness resemble other respiratory infections. Infected people may experience coughing and fever, as well as shortness of breath. Some patients have had vomiting, diarrhea, and similar stomach symptoms. The most severe cases have caused pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. According to the CDC, some infected people have few or no symptoms, whereas others may be severely ill or die from the disease. Initial estimates suggest symptoms begin after exposure from 2 – 14 days with an average of 5 days.

New York state virus death toll surpasses 10,000: Live updates

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he believes 'the worst is over' as hospitalisations appear to plateau.

• China has reported the highest number of new coronavirus cases (108) in nearly six weeks.
• The death rate in Italy, Spain and France - three of the countries worst-affected by the coronavirus - appears to be slowing.
• Japan's Hokkaido island declares a second state of emergency.
• Russia records its highest daily jump in coronavirus cases with 2,558 new infections. 
• French President Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation for a third time later on Monday.
• Globally, more than 117,000 people have died while nearly 443,000 have recovered, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.