COVID-19: A Global Health Crisis
COVID-19: A Global Health Crisis COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus disease, is a contagious illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It first emerged in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and quickly spread across the globe, leading to a pandemic that affected millions of lives and disrupted normal routines worldwide. Origin and Spread The virus is believed to have originated in animals and made the jump to humans, possibly through a wet market in Wuhan. By early 2020, the virus had spread to almost every country. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets from coughs, sneezes, or talking. It can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. The virus's ability to spread rapidly made it extremely difficult to control in the early stages. Symptoms and Impact Common symptoms include: Fever Cough Fatigue Loss of taste or smell Difficulty ...