In comparison to previous SARS and MERS outbreaks, COVID-19 has spread to:

The correct choice indicates that COVID-19 has affected more countries and involved a larger number of people compared to previous SARS and MERS outbreaks. COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was characterized by its rapid global transmission, leading to widespread outbreaks in virtually every country around the world. This pandemic caused significant disruptions across continents, with millions infected and resulting in a high number of fatalities.

In contrast, SARS and MERS, while serious, were more limited in their geographic spread. SARS primarily impacted countries in Asia and had a total of about 8,000 cases between 2002 and 2003. MERS, on the other hand, has been largely confined to the Arabian Peninsula, with fewer than 2,600 confirmed cases since it emerged in 2012.

The global interconnectedness in today's world, combined with the highly transmissible nature of the virus, has led to COVID-19 affecting a vastly larger population across many more regions than seen in prior outbreaks, substantiating the choice that identifies both wider geographic spread and a greater number of affected individuals.