COVID-19, which first appeared in Wuhan, China, has spread rapidly throughout the world (Graph 1). Until now, more than 60 million people have tested positive for COVID-19, mostly in the United States (US), India, Brazil, and Russia. COVID-19 has also claimed more than 1.4 million lives (Graph 2).
After reaching its peak in the second quarter of 2020, additional cases and mortality rates began to slightly subside. However, the risk of a COVID-19 second or even third wave pandemic is the focus of attention in various countries. Meanwhile, vaccine development is continuing with a number of successful trials and ready to be administered in stages estarting in December 2020.