Overview
The CDC plays a crucial role in leading the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 symptoms range from asymptomatic to deadly, and the virus has spread globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring it a pandemic on 11 March 2020. The CDC's response includes developing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines, conducting contact tracing, and providing guidance on mask-wearing and social distancing.