COVID-19

COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The acronym stands for “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” reflecting its identification in December 2019. COVID-19 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes, talking, or breathing of infected individuals. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and in severe cases, pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020 due to its rapid global spread and impact on public health, economies, and daily life. Preventive measures include wearing masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and widespread vaccination efforts. COVID-19 has led to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, prompting extensive research and response efforts to manage and mitigate its effects.