novel coronavirus

American  

[nov-uhl kuh-roh-nuh-vahy-ruhs] / ˈnɒv əl kəˈroʊ nəˌvaɪ rəs /

noun

Pathology.

1. a coronavirus that has not previously been detected or reported: nCoV

   the public health threat of novel coronaviruses such as COVID-19.

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Etymology

Origin of novel coronavirus

First recorded in 1985–90; applied to SARS ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

novel coronavirus

The indictment stems from the earliest days of the pandemic in the first months of 2020, when scientists were trying to get their arms around the novel coronavirus and delve into its features and origins.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026

“If it’s true that the novel coronavirus would kill millions without shelter-in-place orders and quarantines, then the extraordinary measures being carried out in cities and states around the country are surely justified,” Bhattacharaya wrote.

From Salon ● Nov. 27, 2024

It was March 4, 2020, when Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to respond to the novel coronavirus.

From New York Times ● Mar. 4, 2024

COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was an example of a Disease X when it touched off the pandemic at the end of 2019.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 17, 2024

The main transmission routes identified initially for the novel coronavirus infection were droplet and contact transmission.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2023

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