COVID-19, short for coronavirus disease 2019, is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This viral respiratory illness was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and has since become a global pandemic. Research on COVID-19 focuses on understanding the virus, its transmission, symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and prevention strategies. Scientists and health experts around the world are working tirelessly to develop vaccines, therapeutics, and public health measures to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact on individuals and societies.