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COVID-19

COVID-19 or coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2). This virus had not been seen in humans until December 2019, when it was first reported in Wuhan, China.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is very contagious and the number of people getting COVID-19 rose rapidly around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020.  Older people and people with underlying medical conditions are more likely to experience severe or life-threatening infections, but COVID-19 can have damaging effects on the health of anyone, of any age.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic acute infection with SARS-Cov-2 caused substantial mortality. The severity of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection has decreased with the introduction of public health policies, vaccination, improved management of acute disease, and a degree of protective immunity in those who have survived past infection. However, in the wake of the pandemic, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19—referred to as long COVID—have emerged. Lung facts brings together key information on the impact of COVID-19 for the benefit of patients, caregivers and policy makers.” Professor Chris Brightling, founding Director of the European Respiratory Society Clinical Research Collaborations.

COVID-19 in numbers

21.1m

people with COVID-19

1.6m

deaths from COVID-19

35.6m

healthy years lost due to COVID-19

in 2021 in the WHO European region

The charts below present data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD).  To find out more about how this data is put together, visit the methodology page. There are limitations to using GBD data and estimates need to be interpreted with caution. Data will be updated every 2 years and other sources may be provided to give an accurate representation of lung health in Europe.

All charts are freely available to download by clicking the three dots in the top right hand corner. Please reference Lung Facts when sharing.

  • Europe: the big picture
  • Incidence rate for all people
  • Incidence numbers for all people
  • Prevalence rate for all people
  • Prevalence numbers for all people
  • Mortality rate for all people
  • Mortality numbers for all people
  • Years of life lost (YLL) rate for all people
  • Years of life lost (YLL) numbers for all people
  • Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate for all people
  • Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) numbers for all people
  • Monetised DALYS – societal cost for whole population in international dollars
  • Monetised DALYS – societal cost per 100,000 people in international dollars

Accurate data is really vital to understand the prevalence, severity of strains and symptoms of COVID-19. To this day, COVID-19 frightens me and I am always keen to stay up-to-date with new information. Our lungs are our lives. It is worrying that lung health is not always given the priority it deserves. We need to be better at planning and information sharing in respiratory health. A respiratory plan avoids panic and helps all countries be alert to illnesses that severely impact lung health. Investment is key if we are to see progress in maintaining healthy lungs for life.

Helen Parks who has experience of living with COVID-19