Coronaviruses are large, often spherical, enveloped, single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses, ranging in size from 80-220 nm. Their genomes and protein structures are highly conserved. Three coronaviruses have emerged over the last 20 years as serious human pathogens: SARS-CoV was identified as the causative agent in an outbreak in 2002-2003, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV emerged in 2012 and the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in 2019-2020. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the infectious disease termed COVID-19 (WHO Technical Guidance 2020).

SARS-CoV-2 causes fewer fatalities than either of its predecessors MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, but it is far more transmissible [17].

* Key recommended reading is highlighted with an asterisk

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Subcommittee members: Stephen P.H. Alexander Associate Professor in Molecular Pharmacology Life Sciences E Floor University of Nottingham Medical School Nottingham NG7 2UH UK Jonathan K. Ball Room Microbiology, A Floor West Block QMC Queen's Medical Centre Nottingham NG7 2UH UK Theocharis Tsoleridis Room West Block, A Floor, Room 16 Queen's Medical Centre Nottingham NG7 2UH UK