Coronavirus Terminology: Covid-19

Coronaviruses were first identified in the mid 1960’s.  They infect animals and some can infect humans. There are seven types which can infect people, including the newest coronavirus which we are currently seeing. Four of these commonly infect people around the world and cause mild upper respiratory tract illnesses.

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