Questions Regarding the Virus

1. What is COVID-19? What is SARS-CoV-2?

The 2019 novel coronavirus is  now named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) while the disease associated with it is referred to as COVID-19.

SARS-CoV-2, was identified in China at the end of 2019 and is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

2. Where do Coronaviruses come from?

Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate among animals but some of them are also known to affect humans. After they have infected animals, they can eventually be transmitted to humans.  

A wide range of animals is known to be the source of coronaviruses. For instance, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) originated from camels and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) originated from civet cats.  

More information on coronaviruses can be found on the ECDC factsheet:

3. Is this virus comparable to SARS or to the seasonal flu (influenza)?

The novel coronavirus detected in China is genetically closely related to the 2003 SARS virus and appears to have similar characteristics, although there is still limited data available on this virus.  

SARS emerged at the end of 2002 in China and more than 8 000 SARS-cases were reported by 33 countries over a period of eight months. At the time, one in ten people who contracted SARS died. 

The current COVID-19 outbreak caused around 10 000 reported cases in China during the first month of the outbreak, with additional cases subsequently being detected in Europe and other countries (see current situation update). At this point, there is too little data available to say for sure how deadly COVID-19 is but preliminary findings indicate that it is less fatal than SARS coronavirus. 

While both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are transmitted from person-to-person and may cause similar symptoms, the two viruses are very different and consequently do not behave in the same way. It is still very early to draw conclusions on how SARS-CoV-2 spreads, but preliminary information indicates that SARS-CoV-2 is as transmissible in the same way as SARS and some other pandemic influenza strains have been. ECDC estimates that each year up to 40 000 people in the EU, the UK, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein die prematurely due to causes associated with influenza.

4. How severe is COVID-19 infection?  

At this point, there is too little data available to say with certainty how severe COVID-19 is but preliminary findings indicate that it is less fatal than SARS coronavirus.

5. What is the mode of transmission? How (easily) does it spread?

While animals are the source of the virus, this virus is now spreading from one person to another (human-to-human transmission). There is currently not enough epidemiological information to determine how easily and sustainably this virus spreads between people. The virus seems to be transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale.

The incubation period for COVID-19 (i.e. the time between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms) is currently estimated at between two and 14 days. At this stage, we know that the virus can be transmitted when those infected show (flu-like) symptoms. However, there are still uncertainties as to whether mild or asymptomatic cases can transmit the virus. 

If people with COVID-19 are tested and diagnosed in a timely manner and rigorous infection control measures are applied, the likelihood of sustained human-to-human transmission in community settings in the EU is low. Systematic implementation of infection prevention and control measures were effective in controlling SARS and MERS coronaviruses.

6. Why has there been such a large increase in cases reported from China from 13 February? Is the epidemic suddenly getting worse?

On February 13, official statistics reported from China included 15 141 new cases of COVID-19, which represents the single largest number of cases reported on one day since the start of the epidemic. Information from Chinese officials indicates that as of the 13th of February, there was a change in the way that cases are being counted. This now includes all suspected cases with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia.  These new cases have not necessarily been laboratory confirmed as having COVID-19. Given this, we cannot compare the number of cases reported up to now with this new number and it does not necessarily mean that the epidemic is increasing in China.

source:https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china/questions-answers