GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SARS-COV-2 VIRUS
Respiratory diseases caused by viruses of the Coronaviridae family have features in comparison with similar diseases caused by influenza viruses. These features are due to differences in the genomes and proteomes of viruses. SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA-containing virus. The genetic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 is 79% similar to SARS-CoV. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 has not yet been sufficiently studied. Two ways of getting into the cell are assumed: the receptor for the ACE 2 enzyme or the transmembrane glycoprotein CD147 can serve as the receptor of the virus. The predominant path of virus penetration into the cell has not been established either.