Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronaviridae)

A novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019 causing a pandemic posing the greatest threat to global health in a Century. The virus is classified in the subgenus Sarbecovirus, together with the closely related SARS-CoV-1 which caused SARS in 2003, and other bat coronaviruses found in Rhinolophus bats. SARS-CoV-2 is efficiently spread by the respiratory route. Most infections are asymptomatic or mild especially in children or young adults but disease severity progressively increases with age and the presence of co-morbidities, manifesting as a severe viral pneumonia progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome. A number of therapeutic interventions and vaccines have been developed and are being evaluated in randomized clinical trials.