Sometimes coronaviruses which infect animals evolve and become a new human coronavirus. Recent examples include the MERS-CoV, which causes the disease MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), the SARS-CoV, which causes the disease SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), and the SARS-CoV 2 (the novel coronavirus which causes coronavirus disease 2019, or Covid-19).
So, the current novel coronavirus is called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV 2. It’s currently being referred to simply as Coronavirus. This virus can cause disease in humans. The disease caused by SARS-CoV 2 is called Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19.
For help pronouncing coronavirus and COVID-19, see our pronunciation video. (Coming soon.)
You can get more information about coronavirus and Covid-19 on the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html