SARS-CoV-2 (IMAGE) American Institute of Biological Sciences Caption This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2--also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19--isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Credit NIAID-RML, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en) Usage Restrictions Per license. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.