COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in Wuhan, China in 2019 and has since spread globally, leading to a widespread outbreak and the World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic. It primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, and loss of taste or smell. It can lead to severe illness, hospitalization and death, particularly in older adults or those with underlying health conditions. There are vaccines available to protect against COVID-19.