Bacteria and viruses have existed for a very long time. Since viruses require a host to reproduce, they have been destroying bacteria for millions of years. Some of those bacteria later developed into mitochondria due to their cooperative adaptation to life in eukaryotic cells (cells containing a nucleus containing chromosomes).
In the end, mitochondria developed into power centers for all human cells.
Let’s fast-forward to the emergence of new coronaviruses like COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. Roughly 5% of SARS-CoV-2 patients experience respiratory failure (low blood oxygen), necessitating hospitalization. Nearly 46,000 infected patients (or 1.1% of all infected patients) have died in Canada.
