Coronavirus

By Eva Ciobanu
The new coronavirus, also being called “2019-nCoV” is a virus that originated in the wet markets of Wuhan, China. This virus is said to have started from bats, and is closest to the SARS (SARS-CoV) virus that had a worldwide epidemic in  November 2002-July 2003. SARS and the new coronavirus have an 80% genetic sequence similarity. These similarities can help scientists find ways to treat the new coronavirus using previous research from the SARS virus.

As of February 19th, the novel coronavirus has “now killed more than 2,000 people” (CNN), and has tested positive in 15 people in the United States. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has put the overall death rate as 2.3%. Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the contaminated droplets disperse. That is why it’s important to not touch your mouth or nose before washing your hands properly first. In conclusion, wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze, and stay safe.