SARS-CoV-2 (IMAGE) DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Caption This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID-19 - isolated from a patient in the U.S. The protrusions visible on the outside are the spike proteins that the virus particles use to fuse with and gain entry to host cells. Credit NIAID Usage Restrictions Use credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.