Attachment is a specific binding between viral capsid proteins and specific receptors on the host cellular surface. This specificity determines the host range and type of host cell of a virus. In the case of coronavirus, the spike proteins bind to ACE receptors on lung cells. Attachment to the receptor induces the viral envelope protein to undergo changes that result in the fusion of viral and cellular membranes
Penetration through receptor-mediated endocytosis or membrane fusion
Uncoating, a process in which the viral capsid is removed
Replication of viruses involves primarily multiplication of the genome. Replication involves synthesis of viral messenger RNA (mRNA) from "early" genes, viral protein synthesis, possible assembly of viral proteins, then viral genome replication mediated by early or regulatory protein expression. Coronavirus is a single strand RNA virus.
