Continuing Coronavirus Coverage & Resources
Three years after the start of the pandemic, officials continue to distribute vaccines and continue to increase awareness of coronavirus.
The coronavirus originated as an outbreak in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in early 2020. Since it's original outbreak, the coronavirus has since spread across the country and mutated. Here are some resources to help better explain the virus.
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What is COVID-19?
The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a new coronavirus that, before 2020, hadn't been identified. The virus causing COVID-19 isn't the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness like the common cold.
A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 isn't the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and treated differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis, the Centers for Disease Control said.
The CDC is updating its Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page regularly.
Where Did COVID-19 Come From?
The CDC said coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some of which cause illness in people, others cause illness in animals only. Rarely, coronaviruses that infect animals have infected people as well and can be spread between people.
This is what the CDC thinks happened for the virus that caused COVID-19.
"Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of coronaviruses that originated from animals and then spread to people," the CDC said.
Video Resources
COVID-19 Myths
How Did COVID-19 Spread?
This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, the CDC said. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, now the virus is spreading from person to person.
"The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas," the CDC said.
Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who aren't sure how or where they became infected.