A ‘cytokine storm’ profile is found in most severely influenced COVID-19 patients known as ‘cytokine release syndrome’ (CRS), which is a hyper-immune and hyper-inflammatory response distinguished by raised levels of cytokines, tissue necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-6, IL-2, IL-18, IL-1β); and many chemokines. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is congenital rubella syndrome.