The novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, is a potentially deadly virus that can lead to COVID-19.
What does SARS-CoV-2 stand for?
SARS-CoV-2 stands for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It is a virus that causes respiratory illness in humans.
Is the COVID-19 Epsilon variant more infectious?
The Epsilon variant is gaining a higher profile as cases of COVID-19 spike among the unvaccinated, driven in part by the widely spread Delta variant. In the lab, the Epsilon version proved to be more infectious than previous variants, and researchers have discovered three changes in its spike proteins.
Which Brazilian variant of COVID-19 is more transmissible?
A recent study conducted by investigators from Brazil, the United Kingdom and the University of Copenhagen has found that the COVID-19 variant P. 1, which originated in Brazil, is more transmissible than the original virus and is able to evade immunity. Results from the study were published in the journal Science.
What disease does the new coronavirus (SARS–CoV-2) cause?
Infection with the new coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Where does the coronavirus disease’s name come from?
ICTV announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of the new virus on 11 February 2020. This name was chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. While related, the two viruses are different.
When was the official name of SARS-CoV-2 announced?
On 11 February 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses adopted the official name severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
What does a negative SARS-CoV-2 antibody test mean?
A negative result on a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test means antibodies to the virus were not detected in your sample. It could mean: • You have not been infected with COVID-19 previously. • You had COVID-19 in the past but you did not develop or have not yet developed detectable antibodies.
Can people who recover from COVID-19 be re-infected with SARS-CoV-2?
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CDC is aware of recent reports indicating that persons who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 can be re-infected. These reports can understandably cause concern. The immune response, including duration of immunity, to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet understood. Based on what we know from other viruses, including common human coronaviruses, some reinfections are expected. Ongoing COVID-19 studies will help establish the frequency and severity of reinfection and who might be at higher risk for reinfection. At this time, whether you have had COVID-19 or not, the best ways to prevent infection are to wear a mask in public places, stay at least 6 feet away from other people, frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid crowds and confined spaces.
Do the new COVID-19 variants spread more easily?
These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than the dominant strain, and they also may cause more severe illness, but more research is needed to make a determination.
How much more contagious is the Delta variant of COVID-19?
• The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.
What is the dominant COVID-19 variant in Colorado?
The CDC says Colorado is among the states with the highest proportion of the highly contagious delta variant.
What is a COVID-19 variant of interest?
A variant with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralization by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.
What is the predominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S.?
The highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become the predominant circulating U.S. strain.
Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
Are there any long term effects of COVID-19 vaccine?
Serious side effects that could cause a long-term health problem are extremely unlikely following any vaccination, including COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine monitoring has historically shown that side effects generally happen within six weeks of receiving a vaccine dose.
What virus causes the COVID-19 disease?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can trigger what doctors call a respiratory tract infection. It can affect your upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). It spreads the same way other coronaviruses do, mainly through person-to-person contact.
What should I do about the side effects of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital. Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
What does COVID-19 stand for?
‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’ The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.
When was COVID-19 discovered?
The new virus was found to be a coronavirus, and coronaviruses cause a severe acute respiratory syndrome. This new coronavirus is similar to SARS-CoV, so it was named SARS-CoV-2 The disease caused by the virus was named COVID-19 (COronVIrusDisease-2019) to show that it was discovered in 2019. An outbreak is called an epidemic when there is a sudden increase in cases. As COVID-19 began spreading in Wuhan, China, it became an epidemic. Because the disease then spread across several countries and affected a large number of people, it was classified as a pandemic.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people, while others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels, and bats. Some coronaviruses, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals and do not infect people.
When was COVID-19 first reported in the US?
January 20, 2020 CDC confirms the first U.S. laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. from samples taken on January 18 in Washington state.
When was the first case of COVID-19 reported in North America?
The first cases in North America were reported in the United States in January 2020.
What do the results of a coronavirus disease antibody test mean?
If you get an antibody test, and it is positive, that means you have antibodies that likely resulted from a COVID-19 infection or possibly a related coronavirus infection.
If you get an antibody test, and it is negative, you probably have not been previously infected with COVID-19. You still could have a current infection and still could get sick, or spread the virus to others, if recently exposed. Antibodies don’t show up for 1 to 3 weeks after infection. Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies, and some people may not develop them at all.
What is the false negative rate from COVID-19 antibody test results?
The reported rate of false negatives is 20%. However, the range of false negatives is from 0% to 30% depending on the study and when in the course of infection the test is performed.
What does a negative COVID-19 antigen test result mean in asymptomatic persons?
Negative test results using a viral test (NAAT or antigen) in asymptomatic persons with recent known or suspected exposure suggest no current evidence of infection. These results represent a snapshot of the time around specimen collection and could change if tested again in one or more days.
Is it possible to be reinfected with COVID-19?
Although persons with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are largely protected, subsequent infection is possible for some persons due to lack of sterilizing immunity. Some re-infected individuals could have a similar capacity to transmit virus as those infected for the first time.
Can people who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 be re-infected with it?
CDC is aware of recent reports indicating that persons who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 can be re-infected. These reports can understandably cause concern. The immune response, including duration of immunity, to SARS-CoV-2 infection is not yet understood.
What should a person who recovered from COVID-19 do when they are exposed to it again, according to the CDC?
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The following applies to a person who has clinically recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection that was confirmed with a viral diagnostic test and then, within 3 months since the date of symptom onset of the previous illness episode (or date of positive viral diagnostic test if the person never experienced symptoms), is identified as a contact of a new case. If the person remains asymptomatic since the new exposure, then they do not need to be retested for SARS-CoV-2 and do not need to be quarantined. However, if the person experiences new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and an evaluation fails to identify a diagnosis other than SARS-CoV-2 infection (e.g., influenza), then repeat viral diagnostic testing may be warranted, in consultation with an infectious disease specialist and public health authorities for isolation guidance.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.