Clinical eHealth (Jan 2021)
Coronavirus disease-2019 and its current scenario – A review
Abstract
Coronaviruses are enveloped non-segmented positive-sense RNA viruses belonging to the family Coronaviridae. The human coronavirus infections are mild; the epidemics of the two β-coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have caused more than ten thousand cumulative cases in the past twodecades. There is a new public health crisis threatening the world with the emergence and spread of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The virus originated in bats and was transmitted to humans through yet unknown intermediary animals in Wuhan, Hubei province in China during the month of December 2019. Till date around 7,823,289 reported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) and 431,541 reported deaths till date. The disease is transmitted by inhalation or contact with infected droplets with incubation period of 2–14 days. The symptoms are usually fever, sore throat, dry cough, breathlessness, fatigue while many people are asymptomatic. Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) may progress to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and can cause multi-organ dysfunction. Currently diagnosis is done by demonstration of the virus in respiratory secretions by special molecular tests like real-time reverse-transcription–polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR), Radiological examinations (chest CT). Common laboratory tests like white cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) and measure symptoms can be used as preliminary screening at large scale after lock down the area or country. Treatment is essentially supportive; role of antiviral agents is yet to be established. It is paramount to implement infection control practices by infection source controlling, transmission route blocking, and susceptible population protection. Early preventive measures can be home isolation of suspected cases and those with mild illnesses and strict infection control measures at hospitals that include contact and droplet precautions. The worldwide impact of this Coronavirus new epidemic is yet uncertain.
