Question

On 11th February 2020, World Health Organisation made an official announcement of the name, 'Covid-19 Virus' for the new coronavirus that has led to the recent pandemic. This was for communicating to the public and is not intended as a replacement for the official name. Which of the following is the correct official name:
1. Human coronavirus 229 E (HCoV-229E)
2. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-Cov)
3. Severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
4. Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43)

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Severe acute respiratory syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

The correct answer is Option 3.

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus.
• On 11th February 2020, WHO gave the "Covid-19 Virus" name to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
  • Hence, option 3 is correct.
• It is a highly transmissible and pathogenic coronavirus.
• It is an airborne virus and can spread through small droplets of saliva.
• The SARS-CoV-2 virus can be spread indirectly via surfaces that have been touched by someone who is infected with the virus.

• SARS-CoV-2 was found to be a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Betacoronavirus.
• The genetic material of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 virus comprises only RNA.
  • It means that the coronavirus relies on infiltrating healthy cells to multiply and survive.
  • Once inside the cell, the virus uses its RNA to take control of and re-programme the cells and turn them into virus-making factories.