COVID-19 Antigen Test 200฿
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COVID-19: Overview and Global Impact
COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The virus rapidly spread worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global pandemic in March 2020. Transmission primarily occurs through respiratory droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and may also occur via contact with contaminated surfaces followed by touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.
Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath, though some individuals remain asymptomatic. In severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and death, particularly among older adults and individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or compromised immune systems.
The global response to COVID-19 has included public health interventions such as social distancing, mask-wearing, enhanced hygiene practices, testing, contact tracing, and at times, quarantine and lockdown measures. These efforts have aimed to reduce transmission and protect healthcare capacity.
A major turning point in the pandemic response was the rapid development and global rollout of vaccines, with several—such as those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and others—demonstrating high efficacy in preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Mass vaccination campaigns have been implemented worldwide, with the goal of achieving herd immunity and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems.
Despite these advances, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, driven in part by the emergence of new variants that may impact transmissibility, disease severity, and vaccine effectiveness. Global efforts now focus on booster vaccinations, ongoing research, genomic surveillance, and sustained public health measures to manage outbreaks and prevent future waves.
The pandemic has had widespread impacts—overwhelming healthcare systems, disrupting economies, affecting education, and contributing to a significant rise in mental health challenges due to prolonged stress, social isolation, and uncertainty. Continued international collaboration, scientific innovation, and public health readiness are essential to mitigating the long-term consequences of COVID-19 and preparing for future global health emergencies.
