The most severe consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic were reported during its first wave in 2019. Although airway inflammation is part of the main clinical picture of COVID-19, the consequences of a SARS-Cov2 infection can also include coagulation disorders, cardiomyopathy and endotheliopathy, which lead to stroke in 1.5% of patients. With the global reach of the pandemic came collaboration between scientists and clinicians from around the world. This transfer of knowledge between various medical centres contributed to greatly improved understanding of the mechanisms of transmission and the different manifestations of infection.