Illustration of a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (previously 2019-nCoV) that was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It is an enveloped RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus. Within the membrane are spike proteins (dark purple), membrane proteins (light blue) and envelope proteins (violet). Encapsulated by the membrane is the nucleocapsid (violet), which holds the RNA (orange) genome. SARS-CoV-2 causes the respiratory infection Covid-19, which can lead to fatal pneumonia. As of March 2020, the virus has spread to many countries worldwide and has been declared a pandemic. Over 100, 000 have been infected with several thousand deaths. |