COVID-19 pandemic

This pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is a continuing worldwide outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by coronavirus 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome) (SARS-CoV-2). Initially discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019, the new virus rapidly spread to other areas of mainland China and other parts of the globe after a lockdown in Wuhan and other neighbouring towns in Hubei failed to control the outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) proclaimed a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020, both of which occurred within six months of each other. As of 2021, several viral variations have developed and taken hold in a wide range of locations worldwide. The most dangerous virus types are the Alpha, Beta, and Delta strains. As of the 16th of October, 2021, there have been more than 240 million confirmed cases and 4.89 million confirmed fatalities, making it one of the worst pandemics in recorded history.

From non-existent to life-threatening, COVID-19 symptoms may manifest themselves in many ways. Patients who are old or who have specific underlying medical problems are more prone to suffer from severe sickness. Airborne droplets and tiny airborne particles are responsible for the transmission of COVID-19 when individuals breathe it in. Individuals in close proximity are at most danger of inhaling these irritants, although the virus may spread over greater distances, especially when individuals are inside or in poorly ventilated environments. Transmission may also occur via contaminated surfaces or fluids, but this is an uncommon occurrence in the world. The virus may stay infectious for up to 20 days, and people can transmit it even if they do not show any signs of ill health themselves.

Many vaccinations have been authorised and delivered in different countries, which have begun mass immunisation programmes as of December 2020, according to the World Health Organization. Other suggested preventative measures include social distance, wearing face masks in public, ventilation and air-filtering, covering one's mouth while sneezing or coughing, hand washing, cleaning surfaces, and quarantining individuals who have been exposed or are showing symptoms of the disease.. Symptomatic treatments are already available, however researchers are working on developing medicines that will suppress the virus. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, company closures, occupational hazard measures, testing procedures, and systems for tracking contacts of the sick have all been implemented by authorities across the globe in response to the outbreak.