Caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems across the globe. To date, the virus has infected over 105.94 million people and led to over 2.3 million deaths worldwide.
Skyrocketing cases brought about by the second and successive waves have nearly overwhelmed healthcare systems in places like the U.S. and the U.K., underscoring the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment. Though vaccines are already being rolled out in many countries, global population immunity remains a long way off.
