Last updated: March 3, 2022
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that spreads among people in close contact, primarily through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can carry with it symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath, among others.
The disease — declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020 — has taken a toll on schools, workplaces, small businesses, and healthcare facilities across the globe. With vaccines — namely Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen — authorized by the FDA beginning in December 2020, many people around the world have been immunized against the virus, but there is still risk of transmission through vaccinated people.
Here are some key statistics to know about COVID-19.
In December 2019, health officials identified several similar cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province. Chinese health officials identified the cause of the pneumonia as a novel (or new) coronavirus, which was later named SARS-CoV-2.
The virus itself is known as SARS-CoV-2, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, while the disease that results from the virus is called coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is thought to spread mainly among people in close contact with one another (six feet or less) through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets can land in other people’s mouths or noses or be inhaled.
The virus may also spread when people touch contaminated surfaces and later touch their mouths, noses, or eyes.
Research suggests that people are most contagious when they show the most symptoms, but it may be possible for someone who doesn’t show any symptoms to spread the virus (otherwise known as an asymptomatic infection).
If you are experiencing common symptoms of COVID-19 (such as a dry cough, fatigue, muscle or body aches, or shortness of breath) you may want to consider getting tested, especially if you were previously around someone who has tested positive.
If you are experiencing severe COVID-19 symptoms (such as pain or pressure in the chest and difficulty breathing) you should call 911 immediately.
Generally, common symptoms of COVID-19 include: (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
Symptoms of severe COVID-19 that warrant calling the hospital include: (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
Health experts have stressed the need to test as many people as possible so that those with COVID-19 know if they have it and can take appropriate action. Throughout the pandemic, it has remained especially important for frontline healthcare workers to have access to testing since they not only play a critical role in caring for sick patients, but also face a high risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Everlywell has partnered with hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and government agencies to supply testing to thousands of healthcare workers, seniors, and high-risk patients.
Researchers often look at the case fatality rate, which is the proportion of people who die from a disease of those who have been diagnosed with it. The case fatality rate can vary substantially over time depending on the specific characteristics of those infected.
Deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. are broken down as follows by age as of January 2022: (CDC)
Total fatalities based on race/ethnicity, including all age groups, in the U.S. are as follows as of January 2022: (CDC)
COVID-19 and influenza, or “the flu,” are both infectious respiratory illnesses that may carry many of the same symptoms: fever, cough, and fatigue. Both may be spread via the same methods and can be prevented by thorough hand-washing and social distancing. Below are some key differences and similarities between COVID-19 and the flu.
The philanthropic response to COVID-19 has been enormous, with organizations and individuals pitching in billions of dollars to help those affected by the pandemic.
Philanthropy spent over $20 billion on COVID-19 in 2020: (Candid + CDP)
$9 billion+ from corporations/corporate foundations
$5 billion+ from high-net-worth individuals
$4 billion+ from independent foundations
$1 billion+ from public charities, community foundations, or operating foundations
Over 72,700 grants and pledges have been made as of January 2022 to fund coronavirus research or relief. (Candid)
Everlywell funded a $1 million Development Incentive Program to increase capacity for COVID-19 testing. (Everlywell)
Everlywell has provided thousands of tests to frontline healthcare workers, seniors, and high-risk patients nationwide. (Everlywell)
Starting in December 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use in the United States of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, followed by Moderna and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are administered in two doses several weeks apart, while Johnson & Johnson vaccines are received in a single dose.
For the purpose of these statistics, “fully vaccinated” refers to those who received either two doses of Moderna or Pfizer, or one full dose of Johnson & Johnson. People aged 16 and older are now eligible to receive additional doses, or vaccine booster shots, at least six months after receiving the primary series. The CDC has more information on vaccine booster eligibility and guidelines.
Globally, there are a number of vaccines available in addition to the three U.S.-based vaccines. Oxford/AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm/Beijing, to name a few, are some additional vaccines available outside of the U.S.
By age group, vaccine rates in the U.S. are as follows as of January 2022: (USAFacts)
At least one dose:
Fully vaccinated:
Though being vaccinated against COVID-19 lessens the risk of being hospitalized after contracting the virus, it does not entirely protect against catching the virus. Testing positive for COVID-19 despite being vaccinated is known as a “breakthrough case,” and the CDC notes that they are to be expected, as with any other vaccine, even if you have received a booster vaccine.
RNA diseases such as the coronavirus mutate over time, causing variants of the original virus that can be more contagious than the original. This is commonly seen in diseases like the flu, which is why doctors recommend getting a yearly flu shot.
In addition to the original strain of COVID-19 detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019, there have been five other “Variants of Concern” of the coronavirus that are unique from the original. (World Health Organization)
The Alpha variant was first documented in the United Kingdom in September 2020, and was designated as an official variant in December 2020.
The Beta variant was first detected in South Africa in May 2020 and was designated in December 2020.
The Delta variant was first recorded in India in October 2020 and was designated in April 2021.
The Gamma variant was first documented in Brazil in November 2020 and was designated in January 2021.
The Omicron variant was identified in multiple countries, including South Africa, in November 2021 and was designated the same month.
As of January 2022, the two Variants of Concern present in the U.S. are the Delta and Omicron variants. (CDC)
Two additional “Variants of Interest” have been identified that may affect virus characteristics such as disease severity or transmissibility, or cause significant community transmission. (World Health Organization)
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you’ve been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, you’ve been to certain countries where widespread community transmission has been reported, or you’ve been in community areas where COVID-19 cases have been reported, you should seek testing, even if you are partially or fully vaccinated.
The Everlywell COVID-19 Test Home Collection Kit DTC* provides secure digital results within 24–48 hours of the lab receiving your sample — and is available at cost (no profit to Everlywell). Learn more. You may also consider the QuickVue COVID-19 Home Test for a rapid testing option.
This home collection kit has been authorized by the FDA under an EUA. Read more at www.everlywell.com/products/covid-19-test.
Disclaimer: This content was last updated on February 18, 2022 and some of the information provided may no longer be up to date. For the most recent information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.