There’s been a breakthrough in trying to understand the novel coronavirus.
A team of researchers in Toronto have been able to isolate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the root cause of COVID-19.
What that means is that scientists and researchers can now better study the root cause of the pandemic, which will help them develop better testing, treatments and eventually they hope a vaccine.
The breakthrough was a result of a collaborative effort from Doctors Robert Kozak, Samira Mubareka, Arinjay Banerjee and Karen Mossman.
Doctor Mubareka says that while the immediate response like closing schools and cancelling sporting events is crucial, longer-term solutions will come from research into the causes of the virus.
Doctor Kozak, a clinical microbiologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto, adds that their work demonstrates the amazing things that can happen when people collaborate.
Researchers from @Sunnybrook, @UofT and @McMasterU have isolated SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes #COVID19.
The isolated virus will help researchers across the world develop better diagnostic testing, treatments and vaccines: https://t.co/sK8OCpQ2NM
— Andy Smith (@DoctorAndySmith) March 12, 2020
