Everything you need to know about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and Covid-19 disease

News 18 Nov 2020

More than 5,000 coronaviruses have been identified, but only seven can be transmitted to humans, including SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for the Covid-19 disease. It is highly contagious. Infection occurs particularly via droplets or aerosols from respiratory secretions and especially in enclosed areas. Living in the purest possible indoor air is therefore both a health precaution and a preventive measure.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses (more than 5000 are listed). They are so named because of the crown-shaped spikes on their surfaces (figure 1). They range from 60 to 200 nm in diameter.

Only seven of them have been identified as being transmissible to and by humans:

The first four cause mild symptoms and are responsible for 15-30% of colds.

Coronaviruses visible under an electron microscope, coloured - Credits: BSIP/UIG - Getty
The first three caused deadly epidemics in 2003, 2012 and 2020.

The 229E strain is the one used for the NatéoSanté conducted tests of the EOLIS Air Manager air purifier. The results obtained, under the supervision of an independent laboratory, demonstrated an efficacy of 99.6% in only 10 minutes

Coronaviruses are differentiated according to their RNA based genome

In detail, coronaviruses are composed of four main components (Figure 2):

  • Protrusions that play a key role in the virus’ entry into host cells.
  • An envelope and membrane that allows the virus to leave host cells whilst preserving the viral load. This envelope is a key factor in the virus’ infectious nature.
  • Nucleocapsids which are part of the RNA (Ribonucleic Acid is present in all human beings and some viruses. It is closely related to DNA) of the virus: these allow the virus to multiply.
Diagram of a coronavirus
Figure 2: Coronavirus diagram

The difference from one coronavirus to another lies in the composition of its RNA genome. For example, the genome of SARS-CoV-2 is 79% identical to that of SARS-CoV and 50% identical to that of MERS-CoV.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus should not be confused with the Covid-19 disease.

While the two names are often used synonymously with each other, strictly speaking the infectious respiratory disease Covid-19 is caused in humans by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Its name comes from:

  • Co for Corona
  • Vi for viruses
  • D for disease
  • 19 for the year of its first appearance: 2019

Why is the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus so contagious?

SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious for two main reasons:

  1. It has a very significant ability to multiply in the host organism.
  2. It is transmitted via aerosols or fine droplets from respiratory secretions which are expelled by an infected person. These secretions can be deposited on objects or body parts (especially hands).

Why are NatéoSanté air purifiers effective in fighting the SARS-CoV-2 virus and reducing the risks of Covid-19?

The EOLIS Air Manager professional air purifier uses five effective anti-virus technologies to ensure the purest possible indoor air:

  • A biocidal pre-filter certified to ISO 18184:2019 and NF G39-011.
  • An EN 1822 certified HEPA H13 filter which filters out at least 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 µm or more. HEPA filters also have proven effectiveness in capturing particles with a size of < 0,1 µm. NatéoSanté has carried out some tests in a laboratory to prove their efficacy.
  • The UV-C lamps used by NatéoSanté have a dominant wavelength of 254 nanometres and modify the structure of the virus’ RNA. This modification interrupts viral growth and proliferation.
  • The oxydation action produces oxidising and reduces agents that degrade the virus.
  • Active oxygen enables the destruction by oxidation of micro-organisms present in the air.

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