(kor″ō-nă-vī′rŭs-ĕs )
[L. corona, crown, + virus, poison]
ABBR: CoV A group of enveloped RNA viruses widely distributed around the world that cause both animal and human infections. In healthy people they primarily cause symptoms of the common cold, although in some individuals infections may cause life-threatening pneumonia. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like (corona) of spikes on their outer surface. Examples of coronaviruses include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Co-V, and 2019-nCoV (Covid-19).