Abstract
The worldwide novel coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic is ongoing. SARS-CoV‑2 belongs to the coronavirus family, the first representatives of which have been known since the 1960s. Coronaviruses are present in animals and humans and show similarities as well as differences in their biology and pathology regarding each genus. Besides mild flu-like and gastroenterological symptoms, SARS-CoV‑2 can lead to dysfunctions of the lungs and other organs including the heart as already observed during SARS and MERS infections.