Choose the correct alternative to replace the highlighted phrase in the sentence if it is grammatically incorrect. If the sentence is free of errors, mark the option indicating no correction is needed.

Healthcare is among the sectors severely effected by COVID-19.

The correct option to replace the highlighted phrase is sectors severely affected.

Step-by-Step Educational Explanation:

1. Understanding "Affect" vs. "Effect":
- Affect is typically a verb meaning "to influence or produce a change in something."
- Effect is typically a noun meaning "a result or outcome."
In the given sentence, a verb in its past participle form is required to describe how COVID-19 impacted the healthcare sector. Therefore, the word affected should be used instead of "effected".

2. Singular vs. Plural Noun ("sector" vs. "sectors"):
The phrase begins with "among the...", which implies selection from a group of multiple items. Hence, it must be followed by a plural noun: sectors, not "sector".

3. Use of Adverb vs. Adjective ("severely" vs. "severe"):
The word modifying the verb/participle "affected" must be an adverb. Severely is the correct adverbial form to describe the extent to which the sectors were affected.

Putting it all together, the grammatically correct phrase is: "sectors severely affected".