The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Review of Global Impacts and Mitigation Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged as a global health crisis in late 2019 and quickly spread across continents, disrupting societies, economies, healthcare systems worldwide. This article provides comprehensive review of pandemic's origins, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, impacts, various strategies implemented to mitigate its spread. Additionally, it analyzes lessons learned from this unprecedented event, highlighting importance international cooperation, preparedness, evidence-based interventions combat future pandemics.