What is SARS-CoV-2?
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a strain of Coronavirus that causes COVID-19open_in_new, the respiratory illness responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus previously had the provisional name 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and has also been called human coronavirus 2019 (HCoV-19 or hCoV-19).
First identified in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China, the World Health Organization designated the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern from January 30, 2020, to May 5, 2023. SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virusopen_in_new that is highly contagious in humans.
SARS-CoV-2 has consistently mutated over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in many variantsopen_in_new in the United States and globally. Scientists use multiple classification systemsopen_in_new to describe and communicate similarities and differences between SARS-CoV-2 viruses. According to the World Health Organizationopen_in_new, 700 million people have contracted the virus since 2020. Close to 7 million have died, 1 million in the U.S. alone.
Where is it Found?
What Does it Infect?
How Does it Spread?
Preventing the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
This virus can spread by the following means:
- Close contact with an infected person, via breath particles as well as physical contact
- Touching surfaces that have been contaminated by SARS-CoV-2
- Non-symptomatic people can carry and therefore unknowingly spread the virus
According to the CDCopen_in_new, there is no evidence to suggest that handling or consuming food or drinking water can spread COVID-19. However, genetic material from the virus has been detected in untreated wastewater. In rare cases, pet cats and dogs can sometimes become infected by people with COVID-19.
Get More Protection with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) air and surface disinfection can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in various locations where the risk of cross-infection is high, like hospitals, healthcare facilities, offices, schools, and auditoriums. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
Learn about these applications:
View all UV-C Application Pages.
Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.
SARS-CoV-2: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 | Virus | COVID-19 | 7.8 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
SARS-CoV-2 Symptoms
The CDC reports that COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Possible symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status. Older adultsopen_in_new and people who have underlying medical conditionsopen_in_new like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
Possible Complications from SARS-CoV-2
Most symptoms of COVID-19 are relatively mild and manageable. But if you’re older or have another illness such as diabetes or heart disease, you’re more at risk for complications due to COVID-19. About 1 in 6 people will have complications, including some that are life-threatening. Many of these complications may be caused by a condition known as cytokine release syndrome or a cytokine storm. This is when an infection triggers your immune system to flood your bloodstream with inflammatory proteins called cytokines. They can kill tissue and damage your organs, including your lungs, heart, and kidneys.
Some SARS-CoV-2 infections can cause:
- Acute Respiratory distress syndrome – A severe lung condition that causes a low amount of oxygen to go through your bloodstream to your organs
- Pneumonia and trouble breathing – Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Acute Liver Injury
- Acute Cardiac Injury – Heart problems
- Secondary Infection
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Septic Shock
- Blood clots
Sources on SARS-CoV-2
The above information can be found on the following pages.
- CDC: SARS-CoV-2open_in_new
- CDC: How COVID-19 Spreadsopen_in_new
- CDC: Symptoms of Coronavirusopen_in_new
- WebMD: COVIDopen_in_new
- WebMD: Coronavirus complicationsopen_in_new
Dosage Source
Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.
Learn More, Shop & Contact Our Specialists
Since 1963, we’ve been engineering and manufacturing germicidal ultraviolet equipment to neutralize harmful microorganisms in water, in air, and on surfaces. Visit these helpful pages:
Shop at AtlanticUltraviolet.com
- Shop UV-C Water & Liquid Disinfectionopen_in_new
- Shop UV-C Air & Surface Disinfectionopen_in_new
- Shop STER-L-RAY® UV-C Lampsopen_in_new
- Shop Safety Productsopen_in_new
Contact Us
- Call (631) 273-0500, Monday – Friday 7am to 6pm EST
- Email Sales@AtlanticUV.com
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