In response to a customer satisfaction survey sent to the ABSA members and friends, the Emerging Infectious Diseases Committee (ABSA EIDC) has reorganized the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 toolbox to reflect suggestions such as improved search capability, and organization of topics.

About the SARS Coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2)

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was an emerging respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in China at the end of 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) assigned the official name to the virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 – SARS-CoV-2) and the disease (COVID-19) in February of 2020. The origin and ancestral viruses have not been identified yet. Lau et al. suggested a possible origin in bats. SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be found in multiple repositories such as the NIH National Center for Bioinformatics (SRA runs and nucleotide sequences) and Nexstrain (clades, variants and global alignments). The CDC also maintains SPHERES, a domestic database to coordinate SARS-CoV-2 sequencing across the US.

Furthermore, the SARS-CoV-2 strain isolated from the first documented case in the United States was published in June 2020 by Harcourt J, et.al.. The sequences from SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020 viral strain were deposited in the Biodefense and Emerging Infections Research Resources Repository reagent resources (BEI Resources) and the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses, University of Texas Medical Branch. Ongoing research conducted at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) includes work on Coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2.

About the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is called coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, which presents as a pneumonic syndrome. It is important to differentiate COVID-19 from the seasonal Flu because some of the symptoms are very similar and testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis. Most individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 will present a mild disease and recover in 10-14 days. However, some symptoms may last for weeks or even months. Additional research is needed to determine if SARS-CoV-2 has caused persistent illness after recovery from acute COVID-19 (sequelae). Severe cases of COVID-19 often present as a multisystem inflammatory syndrome in adults and children.

General information about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19

Frequently Asked questions related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 can be found in the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 website (WHO FAQs) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FAQ page. The WHO has also provided information to dispel many myths about COVID-19 treatment, prevention, symptoms, etc. Print resources are provided by CDC to support COVID-19 recommendations.

Maps, charts, and raw data on domestic COVID-19 total cases, deaths, and vaccinations are provided in real time by the US CDC. The WHO maintains a situational dashboard by country, and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE)maintains a global COVID-19 Dashboard. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) maintains forecasting data for 2021 on deaths, daily infection and testing, hospital resource use by country and other factors.

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3/8/2024

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