SARSCoV2pandemia

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, also known as the COVID-19 pandemic, refers to the global outbreak caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The term SARSCoV2pandemia is not standard in scientific use; common expressions are the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic or the COVID-19 pandemic. The disease COVID-19 is the illness caused by the virus, with a wide range of symptoms from none to severe respiratory failure.

The outbreak began in late 2019, with the first cases detected in Wuhan, China. The virus was identified in January 2020, and the World Health Organization declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020 and a pandemic in March 2020. Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols, with possible spread by close contact and contaminated surfaces. The pandemic proceeded in waves influenced by public health measures, population immunity, and viral evolution.

Clinical outcomes vary widely. Most infections are mild or asymptomatic, but a substantial fraction progresses to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, or multi-organ complications, especially in older adults and people with underlying health conditions. The pandemic caused substantial morbidity and mortality and disrupted health systems, economies, education, and daily life worldwide.

Public health responses included testing, contact tracing, isolation, masking, social distancing, and non-pharmaceutical interventions. A major feature of the response was the development and deployment of vaccines, including mRNA, vector-based, and inactivated vaccines, which reduced severe disease and death. Ongoing surveillance, booster vaccination, therapeutics, and adaptation to emerging variants continue to shape the management of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.