Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses ranging from the common cold to much more serious diseases and can infect both humans and animals, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The new strain, first identified in Wuhan, China in January 2020, is related to two other coronaviruses that have caused outbreaks in recent years: Middle East respiratory syndrome, also known as MERS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

For up-to-date information on the virus, we recommend visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.