4. What is the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. On February 11, 2020, the coronavirus research group of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses officially named it "SARS-CoV-2" and identified it as a sister virus to the SARS-CoV. The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 is named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).