Single chain, positive polarity, envelope RNA viruses
In the Coronaviridae family
They are classified into four main types: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta.
They can be found in humans, bats, pigs, cats, dogs, rodents and poultry (in domestic and wild animals).
Coronaviruses that cause colds: every year, usually during seasonal flu
hcov-229
hcov-OC43, respectively
hcov-NL63
HKU1-CoV
Causes of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: SARS-CoV
Causes of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome: MERS-CoV
In the beta-coronavirus family: SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV are also in the same family
Fatality rate
11% in SARS outbreak
35-50% in MERS-CoV
