Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particle (bright green) isolated from a UK case of the disease Covid-19. SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-nCoV) was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It is an enveloped RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus. The coronaviruses take their name from their crown (corona, yellow) of surface proteins, which are used to attach and penetrate their host cells. Covid-19 is a respiratory infection that can lead to fatal pneumonia.