It is well established that viral infections such as COVID-19 are characterised by increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12p40, and IL-23 [21,22], while influenza and HIV-1 infections are characterised by increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α [23,24]. This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and COVID-19.