Coronavirus taxonomy and nomenclature

A virus consists of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) enclosed in a protein coat. Because viruses can replicate only in living cells (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, plants, animals, humans) they exist in a gray area between living and nonliving.

There are a gazillion viruses living everywhere on earth. Most of these have not been identified.  Scientists identify viruses by sequencing their genomes. So far, they have identified only 6,828 species. A novel virus, such as the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

 Coronavirus is a family of viruses having the distinct covering of spikes (crown).

It contains 39 known species. Other coronaviruses include those that cause the common cold, “bird flu,” SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome).

The name of our current disease, Covid-19, stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Covid-19 is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). It belongs to the same species as the virus that causes SARS (hence the name).

SARS-CoV-2 is a betacoronavirus, which means it had its origins in bats.

OK, sort of boring, but clarifying maybe?

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