An outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19 Disease) caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named 'SARS-CoV-2') was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. To date, thousands of 'SARS-CoV-2' (Coronavirus) infections have been reported in China, and they are being reported in a growing number of international locations, including the United States and Canada. Most of the 'SARS-CoV-2' (Coronavirus) infections have been associated with travel from Wuhan, but now appear to be spreading from person-to-person with close contact.

The virus, from the same family as SARS and MERS viruses, causes respiratory illness with infections ranging from mild to severe illness, and in some cases, death. Initial data suggests that this virus may have emerged from an animal reservoir, but it appears to now be spreading from person-to-person with close contact.

The 'SARS-CoV-2' (Coronavirus) was likely transmitted to people from an animal source initially. Person to person transmission is likely with coronaviruses, and while not initially detected, it appears that person to person transmission is occurring.