The novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and SARS-CoV the virus that was responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 belong to the same coronavirus family. The two viruses are similar in many ways. For example they both lead to respiratory illnesses and are spread through respiratory droplets. Both SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV are believed to have originated in bats and transmitted to humans via an intermediate animal host. Researchers have found another similarity between the two viruses – they have almost identical protein. This finding could improve the outcomes for COVID-19 patients experiencing severe respiratory symptoms -