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It’s the virus behind the global pandemic shutting down society in a way the modern world has never seen. By mid-April, there were more than 2 million confirmed cases worldwide, nearly 140,000 deaths, and all indications pointing to a rapid increase.

Here is some of the latest scientific information published on the origins, effects and behaviour of the virus that causes COVID-19.

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Photo by The Canadian Press / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

What makes this coronavirus so dangerous?

There are multiple types of coronaviruses that affect humans and animals. Human coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s. The most common ones result in nothing more serious than a cold or minor respiratory tract infection.

Some variations, however, can be deadly: