Background While COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 26 million people worldwide, still, the definite link between COVID-19 and incidence of stroke remains to be re-evaluated. Main body Many pathophysiologic and immunologic mechanisms have been implicated in stroke occurring among patients with COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has, in different ways, negative impacts on care of stroke patients worldwide, and still, many challenges are faced by neurologists to improve care of stroke patients during such crisis. In this brief report, we try to discuss these issues. Conclusions Although the control of COVID-19 is of crucial importance, at the same time, the management of stroke must not be neglected. Therefore, introducing care for critical conditions such as stroke, and providing strategies to ensure this proceeds, is a priority even at the time of the pandemic.

Background: While COVID-19 pandemic affected more than thirty million people world-wide, still the true link between COVID-19 and incidence of stroke remains to be elucidated. Methods: Herein, we discuss briefly virology of COVID-19 and approaches for diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 patients, as well as the mechanisms that link stroke and COVID-19. Results: Many pathophysiologic and immunologic mechanisms have been implicated in stroke occurring among patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 pandemic has, in different ways, negative impacts on care of stroke patients world-wide, and still many challenges are facing to the neurologists to improve care of stroke patients during such crisis. Conclusions: Although the control of the COVID-19 is of crucial importance, at the same time, the management of stroke must not be neglected. Therefore, preserving care for critical conditions such as stroke, and providing strategies to ensure this continues, have a priority even at the crisis. Till vaccine is available for COVID-19, strategies for rapid diagnosis and those for treating patients with that disease are evolving. Further studies are warranted.