covid19

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, resulted in one of the most significant global health crises in a century, with over 700 million confirmed cases and profound excess mortality. While acute-phase management has advanced markedly with antivirals and anti-inflammatory agents, Long COVID, characterised by persistent multi-system symptoms, represents an emerging chronic disease challenge. Ongoing surveillance, vaccine effectiveness monitoring, and mechanistic research inform evolving public health responses.