A family of viruses, some coronaviruses cause disease in people and animals.
They are named for crownlike spikes on their surfaces.
#APStyleChat (1/7)
They are named for crownlike spikes on their surfaces.
#APStyleChat (1/7)
The viruses can cause the common cold or more severe diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) and COVID-19, the latter of which first appeared in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. #APStyleChat (2/7)
As of March, referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about COVID-19. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, it is clear in this context. #APStyleChat (3/7)
Also acceptable on first reference: the new coronavirus; the new virus; COVID-19. #APStyleChat (4/7)
In stories, do not refer simply to coronavirus without the article the.
Not: She is concerned about coronavirus.
Omitting the is acceptable in headlines and in uses such as: He said coronavirus concerns are increasing. #APStyleChat (5/7)
Not: She is concerned about coronavirus.
Omitting the is acceptable in headlines and in uses such as: He said coronavirus concerns are increasing. #APStyleChat (5/7)
COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. When referring specifically to the virus, the COVID-19 virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 are acceptable. #APStyleChat (6/7)
Because COVID-19 is the name of the disease, not the virus, it is not accurate to write a new virus called COVID-19. #APStyleChat (7/7)
