SARS-CoV-2 is a newly emergent coronavirus that is highly infectious and is the cause of COVID-19. The disease caused by the virus is characterized primarily by mild to severe respiratory symptoms that can lead to hospitalization and death in ~1% of cases. Diagnostic tests for detection of the virus in the airways were developed quickly, within weeks of the outbreak, and have played a key role in public health strategy used globally to test, track and isolate cases, likely saving millions of lives worldwide. However, a lot more research is needed to understand this new virus, the disease, and the immune response that could potentially protect, or contribute, to COVID-19.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-understanding-immune-responses-to-sars-cov-2/