 The COVID-19 outbreak began in late 2019 when a cluster of fatal pneumonia cases emerged in Wuhan, China. These cases were caused by a previously unknown coronavirus, which has since been named SARS-CoV-2. Scientists have since worked to identify the origins of the virus, understand its pathogenesis, develop treatments, and create vaccines. This article was authored by Farras A. Robby, Mazar S. Alzobi, Gina A. Casasbe, and others.