Subject:
BIOLOGY
COVID-19 and
its impact
By
Ananya Kaimal
Grade XII B
INDEX
1. Acknowledgement
2. Preface
3. Aim
4. Introduction
a. What is covid-19?
b. The coronaviruses
c. Sars-cov-2
d. Impact of covid-19
5. Diagnosis, Treatment and Development of a Vaccine
a. Diagnosis of Covid-19
b. Treatment for covid-19
c. Development of a Vaccine
6. Influence of Covid-19 : An Analysis
7. Covid-19 : Lasting Impact
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
A project is like a bridge between theoretical and
practical work.
First and foremost, I would like to thank God
Almighty for his abundant blessings to help me
complete my project. I am indebted to my parents’
love and support in making this project a unique one.
Secondly, I express my sincere gratitude to my
respected principal, Ms. Anisha Sen for giving me
such opportunities. I am extremely grateful to Ms.
Sonia Anish, my biology teacher as well as my class
teacher, for her invaluable guidance, support, and
encouragement throughout the project.
I am grateful to the various online resources and
scientific articles that provided essential information,
enabling us to present accurate and up-to-date
findings.
I also extend my appreciation to our classmates for
their collaboration and feedback, which enriched my
research and presentation.
Thank you.
PREFACE
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected every aspect
of our lives, reshaping our world in ways we are still coming to
understand. This investigatory project aims to explore the
multifaceted impact of COVID-19, focusing on its effects on
individuals and communities, as well as examining the broader
implications for public health.
In my research, I conducted a survey to gather firsthand
accounts and data on how the pandemic has influenced people's
daily lives, mental health, and social interactions. A case study
was also done to explore a specific situation which highlights the
situation of Covid-19 in 2024. Furthermore, we investigate the
advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination
strategies. Understanding these medical developments is crucial
for comprehending how we can better manage current cases
and prevent future outbreaks.
Finally, we address the long-term effects of COVID-19, which
continue to present challenges even as we emerge from the
height of the pandemic. From lingering health issues to changes
in societal norms, the ramifications of this virus are still
unfolding.
AIM
Through this project, I aim to provide a
comprehensive overview of the pandemic's
impact, highlighting not only the challenges
faced but also the resilience and adaptability
of individuals and healthcare systems. I hope
my findings contribute to a better
understanding of COVID-19 and encourage
informed discussions about its ongoing
effects.
INTRODUCTION
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease
caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. The COVID-19
pandemic emerged in November 2019, with its origins in
Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide, leading the
World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a pandemic in
March 2020. Most people infected with the virus will
experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover
without requiring special treatment. However, some will
become seriously ill and require medical attention.
The disease took the world by storm and significantly
transformed our daily lives, economy and global health
systems. The pandemic highlighted issues in public health
infrastructure, access to healthcare, and the importance of
global cooperation. As vaccination efforts progressed, many
countries saw a decline in cases, though variants of the virus
continued to pose challenges. Ongoing efforts focus on
vaccination, treatment, and preparedness for future
pandemics.
The Coronaviruses
Coronaviruses (family Coronaviridae) are common
pathogens of humans and animals. Four coronaviruses are
endemic in humans (human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63),
HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1) and typically
infect the upper respiratory tract, causing common-cold
symptoms. In the past two decades, three zoonotic
coronaviruses (severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome
coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS-CoV-2) have infected
humans, after spilling over from animal reservoirs. These
three viruses can replicate in the lower respiratory tract and
may cause a potentially fatal acute respiratory distress
syndrome (ARDS).
SARS-CoV-2
SARS‑CoV‑2 is a positive-sense single-stranded
RNA virus that is contagious in humans. It is an
enveloped virus responsible for the COVID-19
pandemic. Despite recent advances in the
structural elucidation of SARS-CoV-2 proteins,
the detailed architecture of the intact virus
remains to be unveiled. SARS-CoV-2 encodes at
least 29 proteins in its (+) RNA genome, four of
which are structural proteins: the spike (S),
membrane (M), envelope (E) and nucleocapsid
(N) proteins.
SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through respiratory droplets
and aerosols, and the median incubation period is 4 to 5
days before symptom onset. Although in some cases the
infection is asymptomatic, most patients present with mild
to moderate respiratory disease, experiencing cough, fever,
headache, myalgia and diarrhoea. Severe illness usually
begins approximately 1 week after symptom onset. The
most common symptom of severe disease is dyspnoea
(shortness of breath), which is a result of hypoxaemia. Soon
after the onset of dyspnoea and hypoxaemia, progressive
respiratory failure develops in patients with severe COVID-
19. These patients generally meet the criteria for ARDS.
Some progress to having life-threatening pneumonia.
IMPACT OF COVID-19
The impact of Covid-19 on the world was multi-faceted. Many
areas were affected by the pandemic over the course of two
years. The pandemic resulted in millions of infections and deaths,
overwhelming healthcare systems and highlighting gaps in public
health preparedness.
Mental health issues surged due to isolation, anxiety, and
uncertainty. Global economies faced severe disruptions, leading
to job losses, business closures, and increased poverty. Supply
chains were disrupted, affecting everything from food production
to technology. Social distancing measures altered daily life,
impacting education, work, and interpersonal relationships.
Remote work and online learning became the norm, prompting a
shift in how we interact and collaborate. The pandemic also
accelerated trends such as digital transformation and telehealth,
while raising awareness about health equity and the importance of
mental health support.
As the world moves forward, lessons learned from the pandemic
continue to shape policies and practices across various sectors.
Though COVID-19 pandemic has affected all sectors directly or
indirectly, the crisis is worse on the already overburdened health
systems in many countries. A significant level of health service
delivery was impacted, especially, during the early times owing to
the steady spread of the virus across all settings. It posed
challenges on health, human resource management, facility
utilisation and medical supply management.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause an immense global
health crisis, with more than 3.5 million deaths. The overall case
fatality rate of COVID-19 is ~1%, and around 3–20% of people with
COVID-19 require hospitalisation, of which a considerable subset
(~10–30%) require intensive care, putting great strain on health
systems.
To better understand the impact of this pandemic, later pages
have included results from surveys, case study and information
from other data sources.
Let us now examine the diagnosis, treatment and preventive
procedure for Covid-19.
Diagnosis,
Treatment &
Development of a
Vaccine
DIAGNOSIS OF
COVID-19
The clinical manifestation of COVID-19 caused by the
novel SARS-CoV-2 virus varies widely, ranging from
asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory distress
and multi-organ failure. This variability makes
accurate diagnosis challenging. Diagnosis typically
relies on a patient’s epidemiological history and
clinical symptoms, confirmed through laboratory
tests like CT scans, nucleic acid amplification tests
(NAAT), and serological methods.
Differentiating SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory
viruses, such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, can be
difficult due to overlapping symptoms. Therefore,
laboratory examinations are crucial alongside clinical
assessments for accurate and timely diagnosis.
Chest CT scans are often used to detect pneumonia and
have proven more sensitive than X-rays for identifying lung
abnormalities. They have been employed in COVID-19
diagnosis, though they have limitations. NAATs, particularly
reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), are the
preferred tests for early viral detection due to their high
sensitivity, although they require quality SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
CRISPR technology, originally a genome editing tool, is
gaining traction in diagnostics for detecting various
pathogens. Currently, a range of nucleic acid-based and
antigen/antibody tests are available for diagnosing SARS-
CoV-2, with antibody tests used to assess past exposure or
for population sero-surveillance.
TREATMENT FOR
COVID-19
Currently, there is no highly effective treatment for
SARS-CoV-2 infection, but several classes of drugs are
being used, including antiviral agents, inflammation
inhibitors, low-molecular-weight heparins, plasma, and
hyperimmune immunoglobulins. Clinical researchers
are exploring various treatments based on the
disease's pathological features and stages.
In the early stages of infection, antiviral agents can help
prevent disease progression, while a combination of
immunomodulatory and antiviral treatments may
improve outcomes for critically ill patients. Antiviral
medications specifically target the virus to stop its
replication, which can help reduce the risk of severe
illness and death.
DEVELOPMENT OF A
VACCINE
The pandemic created an urgent need for vaccines,
leading to the rapid development and release of multiple
options, which produced mixed results and various side
effects. Vaccine development typically involves three
phases of clinical trials, with the final phase (Phase III)
assessing efficacy in tens of thousands of participants,
while all phases prioritise safety. After testing, national
regulatory authorities review the vaccine for safety and
effectiveness before approval, and policy committees
determine its usage.
Traditionally, vaccine development takes years, but
the urgency of COVID-19 prompted unprecedented
financial investments and scientific collaborations,
allowing many steps to occur in parallel. Despite this
expedited process, strict clinical and safety standards
have been maintained throughout, according to
WHO.
The COVID‑19 vaccines are widely credited for their
role in reducing the spread of COVID‑19 and reducing
the severity and death caused by COVID‑19.
According to a June 2022 study, COVID‑19 vaccines
prevented an additional 14.4 to 19.8 million deaths in
185 countries and territories from 8 December 2020
to 8 December 2021.
As of 12 August 2024, 13.72 billion doses of COVID‑19
vaccines have been administered worldwide, based
on official reports from national public health
agencies.
Influence of
COVID-19 : an
analysis
Objectives:
To analyse the health effects of COVID-19 across
different age groups and health conditions.
To evaluate the mental health impact of the pandemic
on various demographics.
To examine the socio-economic consequences of
COVID-19 on individuals and communities.
Methodology:
Review existing research articles, reports, and studies to
gather background information and identify key areas
of impact.
Data Collection: Used a survey software to create a
survey to get information regarding the impact of the
pandemic on various demographics of people.
Data Analysis: Analyse collected information to find
patterns, correlations and trends in order to draw
conclusions.
Reporting: Compile findings into a comprehensive
report with case studies, graphs etc.
A Brief Review on the effects of
Covid-19 in various demographics
Health Effects of covid-19:
Age Groups:
Generally, COVID-19 symptoms are mild in younger
individuals, but there have been cases of severe illness
and long-term complications, such as multisystem
inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The
pandemic has also disrupted education and social
development. In Adults, Health effects vary from mild
to severe. Factors such as underlying health
conditions, lifestyle, and vaccination status play
significant roles. Severe cases may result in
hospitalisation, long-term health issues, or death.
Older adults are at higher risk for severe outcomes,
including severe respiratory illness and death. Age-
related decline in immune function and the prevalence
of comorbidities contribute to increased vulnerability.
Pre-existing Health Conditions:
Individuals with heart conditions are at higher risk of
severe COVID-19 and complications. COVID-19 can
exacerbate pre-existing cardiovascular issues. People
with diabetes face a higher risk of severe illness and
complications, including poor glycemic control and
increased mortality. Those with chronic respiratory
conditions, such as asthma or COPD, may experience
exacerbation of their symptoms and increased severity
of COVID-19.
Mental Health Effects:
The pandemic has led to increased levels of
anxiety, depression, and stress due to factors
such as fear of illness, social isolation, and
economic instability.
Individuals who experienced severe illness or
loss of loved ones may develop PTSD
symptoms.
Frontline Healthcare workers face high levels of
stress, burnout, and mental health challenges due to
long hours, exposure to the virus, and emotional
strain from patient care.
School closures and social distancing have
impacted social development, leading to increased
anxiety and behavioural issues in younger
populations.
Social isolation and disrupted routines have
contributed to mental health issues among the
elderly, including increased feelings of loneliness
and depression.
Socio-economic Impact:
Many individuals faced job loss or reduced income
due to business closures and economic downturns.
Low-income and marginalised communities have
been disproportionately affected, with limited
access to healthcare and support services.
Restrictions on gatherings and travel have altered
social interactions, impacting community cohesion
and support systems.
Increased demand for mental health services has
strained existing resources, highlighting the need for
expanded support.
Survey: Results & Analysis
ANALYSIS:
From the above results of the survey we can come to
the following conclusions:
Most of the respondents have experienced
symptoms such as fever, fatigue, body aches etc.
with the disease being spread to at least another
person in their household.
The pandemic has significantly affected the mental
health and level of social interaction of respondents
as well as other aspects of their lives like work and
education.
All respondents have received a covid-19 vaccine,
due to the extensive national campaign encouraging
people to receive the vaccine, and have also taken
many preventive measures during the pandemic
CASE STUDY :
COVID IN 2024
Patient Profile:
- Age: 49 years
- Gender: Male
- Medical History: No significant past medical history;
non-smoker; no alcohol use; fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 with the last booster received two years
prior.
Presentation:
The patient presented on October 2024 with a chief
complaint of persistent fever, fatigue, and generalized
body pain. Symptoms began five days prior, initially
manifesting as a mild sore throat, which progressed to a
high-grade fever, severe fatigue, and muscle aches. He
reported chills, night sweats, and a dry cough but no
shortness of breath or chest pain.
Diagnosis:
The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 (by antigen
self-test at home), classified as mild to moderate
severity due to the absence of respiratory distress and
comorbidities.
Management:
The patient was advised to isolate at home for 7 days,
maintain hydration, and manage symptoms with
medications for fever and body pain. He was provided
with educational resources regarding monitoring
symptoms and when to seek further medical attention.
Conclusion:
This case underscores the ongoing presence of COVID-19
and its ability to affect individuals even after vaccination.
The patient's symptoms were consistent with a typical
COVID-19 presentation. Early diagnosis and supportive
management were crucial for recovery, highlighting the
importance of public health measures and vaccination
efforts in mitigating severe outcomes. Continued vigilance
and patient education remain essential in managing cases
effectively.
The patient's experience reflects the evolving landscape of
COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of maintaining
public health protocols and promoting vaccination, even in
seemingly low-risk individuals.
COVID-19:
LASTING IMPACT
Many individuals
infected with SARS-CoV-
2 continue to experience
lingering symptoms for
months or even years
after the initial infection.
The COVID-19 pandemic
has evolved with various
virus mutations,
alongside the
development and
availability of vaccines
and antiviral treatments.
"Long COVID" refers to these persistent symptoms and
new or worsening health effects that can follow acute
infection. The prevalence of Long COVID is influenced by
factors such as virus variants, vaccination status, and
treatments used during acute illness. Evidence suggests
that those infected with the Omicron variant are less
likely to develop Long COVID compared to earlier
variants, and vaccination appears to reduce this risk as
well.
Common symptoms of long COVID include:
Extreme tiredness, especially after activity.
Problems with memory, often called brain fog.
A feeling of being lightheaded or dizzy.
Problems with taste or smell.
Other symptoms of long COVID include:
Sleep problems.
Shortness of breath.
Cough.
Headache.
Fast or
irregular
heartbeat.
Digestion
problems,
such as loose
stools,
constipation or
bloating.
Some people with long COVID may have other illnesses.
Diseases caused or made worse by long COVID include
migraine, lung disease, autoimmune disease and chronic
kidney disease.
Diseases that people may be diagnosed with due to long COVID
include:
Heart disease.
Mood disorders.
Anxiety.
Stroke or blood clots.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, also called
POTS.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis-chronic fatigue syndrome, also
called ME-CFS.
Diabetes etc.
People can get long COVID symptoms after catching the
COVID-19 virus even if they never had COVID-19 symptoms.
Also, long COVID symptoms can show up weeks or months
after a person seems to have recovered.
Overall, ongoing research is critical to understanding the full
scope and mechanisms of these long-term effects.
CONCLUSION
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted
lives and societies worldwide. This project highlights
the immediate health concerns and long-term
consequences still felt today.
Through the survey and case study, we uncovered
the effects on mental health, social interactions etc.
We also explored significant advancements in
treatment, diagnosis, and vaccination, emphasizing
the crucial role of scientific research in addressing
health crises.
Moreover, the findings on long-term effects,
underscore the need for continued support and
research.
In summary, this project illustrates the resilience of
individuals and communities while highlighting the
importance of preparedness for future health
challenges. It is vital to learn from this experience to
foster a proactive approach to public health.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
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https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00713-0#Glos1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9874793/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8968362/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-
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Infection. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-
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