Outbreak of COVID-19: A Detailed Overview and Its Consequences

After the outbreak from Wuhan City of China, COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has become a pandemic worldwide in a very short span of time. The high transmission rate and pathogenicity of this virus have made COVID-19 a major public health concern globally. Basically, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 is the third introduction of a highly infectious human epidemic coronavirus in the twenty-first century. Various research groups have claimed bats to be the natural host of SARS-CoV-2. However, the intermediate host and mode of transmission from bat to humans are not revealed yet. The COVID-19 cost hundreds and thousands of lives and millions are facing the consequences. The objective of this chapter was to analyze the outbreak of COVID-19 and problems faced globally.

All published relevant literature from scientific sources and reputed news channels are considered to write the current review.

Generally, elder persons and more particularly people with underlying medical conditions are found to be highly vulnerable to severe infection and prone to fatal outcomes. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment with clinically approved drugs or vaccines to treat this disease. Several research groups have been investigating the efficacies of several antiviral and repurposed drugs. Currently, most of the SARS-COV-2 vaccines are at the preclinical or clinical stage of development. The latest research progress on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and current status of therapeutic intervention indicates that still a specific drug or vaccine needs to come up for the effective treatment of the pandemic COVID-19. It is observed that various aspects of social life, economic status, and healthcare systems are majorly affected by this pandemic.

It is concluded that the outbreak of COVID-19 has severely affected each and every field, such as social, scientific, industrial, transport, and medical sectors. Irrespective of tremendous efforts globally, few vaccines are now available for the prevention of the disease. Specific drug is not available publicly for the treatment of COVID-19. Prevention of air pollution that can aggravate COVID-19 has been suggested. Therefore, as of now, social distancing and sanitization practices are the only options available for the prevention of the disease for many.