COVID-19

Explainer: A complete picture of how coronavirus infects and damages the human body

For story suggestions or custom animation requests, contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw. Visit to view News Direct’s complete archive of 3D news animations.

RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN
COVID-19 spreads through droplets that can be carried for up to 27 feet and land on the respiratory system, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association.

RUNDOWN SHOWS:
1. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by droplets
2. Novel coronavirus targets human cell ACE2 receptors
3. Mutations in spike protein enables the virus to invade cells via ACE2
4. The virus hijacks infected cell to reproduce
5. Viral proteins and RNA are packaged into new viruses by hijacked Golgi body
6. Infected cells die of biochemical distress
7. Immune response triggers inflammation
8. Lung infections could lead to pneumonia
9. COVID-19 could spread in the blood to other major organs
10. Ventilators needed to keep some patients alive

VOICEOVER (in English):
“The COVID-19 coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, spreads through droplets that people make when we talk, cough or sneeze. The virus can be carried for up to 27 feet and land on the respiratory system, according to a study in the Journal of American Medical Association.”

“A gene sequence study published in Frontiers in Medicine showed that the coronavirus targets human cells with ACE2 receptors. This means the epithelial cells in the lungs and other organs are vulnerable to the coronavirus.”

“The coronavirus has mutations in the spike proteins on its surface. The mutations to the receptor binding domains, or RBDs, allow the virus to use human ACE2 receptors as entry points for getting into the cell.”

“According to the British Society for Immunology, the virus hijacks the cell and commandeers the structures inside the cell to make more copies of itself. The infected cell’s ribosomes are directed to create viral RNA and proteins.”

“After that, the cell’s Golgi apparatus puts the proteins and RNA together and coats them in protein, which creates new copies of the coronavirus.”

“The biochemical distress of being hijacked by the virus eventually kills the cell, which causes damage to the infected tissue.”

“At the same time, the body tries to fight off the infection by sending killer T-cells. The killer cells search and destroy compromised cells. The immune system’s attack on the infected part of the body leads to more tissue damage and inflammation.”

“Speaking to the Guardian, John Wilson, president-elect of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a respiratory physician, said the coronavirus infection spreads down the respiratory system and may reach the alveoli at the bottom of the lungs. This fills the lungs with liquids and inflammatory materials.”

“Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, breathing difficulties and muscle pains. Citing doctors, the New York Times reports the virus may move in the blood to attack the heart, the kidneys, and the liver. Lung damage would also deprive patients of blood oxygen.”

“George Washington University Hospital reports that 20 percent of COVID-19 patients are symptomatic. A portion of these develop severe symptoms and become unable to breath without using ventilators or other medical devices.”

SOURCES: Journal of American Medical Association, Frontiers in Medicine

***
—————————————-­­—————————————­-­—————-

Next Animation Studio’s News Direct service provides daily, high-quality, informative 3D news animations that fill in for missing footage and help viewers understand breaking news stories or in-depth features on science, technology, and health.

Sign up for a free trial of News Direct’s news animations at

To subscribe to News Direct or for more info, please visit: