Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection and the consequent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are spreading all over the world, with human, economic and health consequences that are, at present (April 12th, 2020), still difficult to fully predict. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control recently published data on 44,672 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 [1], showing that 88% of patients were < 70 years old, with an overall mortality rate of 2%, but 19% of cases needed hospitalisation in an intensive care unit (ICU). In a Chinese cohort of 191 adult COVID-19 patients who required hospitalisation [2], 61% needed ICU treatment, with a mean length of stay of 3 weeks.

Coronavirus disease 2019 has severely affected public health. Under social distancing and lockdown policies, patients with musculoskeletal pain have fewer opportunities than usual to receive routine medical care for pain management in hospitals. Therefore, we provided some suggestions for such patients to manage musculoskeletal pain and techniques that may be performed at home during this period.

After severe COVID-19 disease, many patients will experience a variety of problems with normal functioning and will require rehabilitation services to overcome these problems. The principles of and evidence on rehabilitation will allow an effective response. These include a simple screening process; use of a multidisciplinary expert team; four evidence-based classes of intervention (exercise, practice, psychosocial support, and education particularly about self-management); and a range of tailored interventions for other problems. The large number of COVID-19 patients needing rehabilitation coupled with the backlog remaining from the crisis will challenge existing services. The principles underpinning vital service reconfigurations needed are discussed.