Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic: A Concise but Updated Comprehensive Review

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, marked the beginning of a global pandemic.
• As of January 18, 2021, the pandemic had resulted in over 99,026 cases in China and more than 95 million cases across 216 other countries, posing a significant global health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive and updated summary of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To offer a reference for public health authorities and healthcare workers globally regarding intervention and prevention strategies for COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• This study is a comprehensive summary and review of the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.
• Data on case numbers and geographical spread were compiled as of January 18, 2021.

Main Results:

• While China managed to control the outbreak through aggressive measures, cases continued to rise exponentially in many European and American countries.
• The pandemic had spread globally, with a substantial number of cases reported outside of China.

Conclusions:

• There are currently no specific therapeutic drugs for COVID-19.
• An updated understanding of the pandemic is vital for effective global intervention and prevention efforts.