Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a contagious illness triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, identified as a novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome first discovered in 2019. In March 2020, due to its rapid global spread and impact, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The range of symptoms caused by the virus varies widely, from extremely mild to critically severe, and it is notable for its capacity to be spread by individuals who show no symptoms, known as asymptomatic carriers.
Individuals with underlying health conditions or those of advanced age are at a heightened risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. A significant number of people continue to experience symptoms and health issues for more than four weeks after their initial diagnosis, a condition often referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome. Additionally, both children and adults can suffer from multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a condition where various organs and tissues become inflamed, which can occur weeks after a positive test for the virus.