COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has since spread worldwide, leading to an unprecedented global health crisis. As of May 2021 over 155 million cases have been reported globally with more than 3.3 million deaths attributed to the virus.

The World Health Organization declared a public health emergency on 30 January 2020 and recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic on 11 March 2020; it is the fifth known human coronavirus pandemic since 1976. On 11 February 2021 WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated “We’re now in a new and dangerous phase… We must do everything we can to stop this wave – or face even greater tragedy.” Governments around the world responded with various lockdowns, travel restrictions and other measures intended to slow down its spread while research into treatments continues.

Public health responses include isolation strategies such as contact tracing combined with quarantine for those who have been exposed; social distancing techniques such as staying at home or avoiding large gatherings; wearing masks when going out in public places; frequent hand washing practices; sanitizing frequently touched surfaces regularly etc., along with vaccinations which are being rolled out gradually across countries depending upon availability of doses from manufacturing companies like Pfizer/BioNTech SE Moderna etc.,

In addition non pharmaceutical interventions such as school closures economic stimulus packages extended unemployment benefits increased access to telemedicine services virtual learning programs cash transfers etc were also implemented during different stages of the outbreak . Some governments adopted herd immunity policies attempting to balance between allowing some people get infected so that they develop natural immunity without overwhelming healthcare systems but these policies met widespread criticism due both ethical considerations related to preventing unnecessary suffering among vulnerable populations coupled with lack evidence showing effectiveness against Covid 19 transmission Moreover many nations continue facing shortages in personal protective equipment testing kits ventilators ICU beds hospital staffs medicines medical supplies vaccines even after almost 18 months into this battle Overall mortality rate varies significantly between countries largely due differences prevention approaches preparedness levels socio economical status infrastructure access quality healthcare system capacity infection control protocols compliance level towards safety regulations sanctioned by respective authorities Compliance level towards lockdown rules imposed by government organizations play significant role determining success failure certain country s containment efforts Still there no consensus regarding long term effects survivors although growing body scientific evidences suggest short long term physical psychological impacts Even though vaccine provide hope curbing further devastating consequences still requires collective effort all stakeholders involved Only through combined collaboration individuals societies will be able fight back against one deadliest epidemics witnessed century