I am confused about this and wondered what the difference is between the two. I even asked a few friends who might possibly know when to use COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2, but was given an ambiguous answer. And since this is a worldwide problem, a pandemic, I must know (so I can relate).
So to clear things out, I finally checked World Health Organisation ‘s website and tried to digest their very informative content.
Covid-19 is the name of the disease, so to speak. And the name of the virus which causes this disease is SARS-CoV-2 or also known as (with its longer term) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.
Why is there a “2”?
The 2003 SARS outbreak was caused by a coronavirus (this was the first outbreak caused by this agent). Now, COVID-19 is also caused by this genetically related coronavirus (which makes it the second outbreak). So technically, “2” is used to identify the second case for diagnostic management and research purposes. And just because these two are related, it does not mean they are the same. Even twins can be different from each other.
And so, to clear it out a little bit more, I compared it to other viral diseases, with their names and their causative agents. Just like, Measles is the name of the disease caused by rubeola virus; AIDS which is caused by HIV; Cold Sores caused by HSV-1; Chickenpox caused by VZV.
Now it is clear to me. Hope this helps a little bit to you as well.
SouL Excavation 