In December 2019, a relevant number of patients affected by a mysterious pneumonia has been documented in Wuhan, China (1). Around the end of last year, the causative agent of this unexplained pneumonia has been identified as a new coronavirus. This virus has been “baptized” as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the relative disease has been called as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization. The COVID19 epidemic is spreading in China and all over the world now as pandemic infection (1). The aim of this review is primarily to analyze the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the older population, the clinical manifestation and diagnosis, the potential therapeutic strategies, and the role of the geriatrician in managing this infection emergency.

(1) Gemelli Against COVID-19 Geriatric Team: F. Landi, C. Barillaro, A. Bellieni, V. Brandi, A. Carfì, M. D’Angelo, D. Fusco, G. Landi, R. Lo Monaco, A.M. Martone, E. Marzetti, F. Pagano, C. Pais, A. Russo, S. Salini, M. Tosato, A. Tummolo, F. Benvenuto, G. Bramato, L. Catalano, F. Ciciarello, I. Martis, S. Rocchi, E. Rota, A. Salerno, M. Tritto, A. Sgadari, G. Zuccalà, R Bernabei J Nutr Health Aging. 2020

Edito F. Landi