NOVEL CORONAVIRUS COVID-19: CHARACTERISTICS, TRANSMISSION, PATHOGENESIS AND PANDEMIC REPORT

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2) worldwide. It was first reported in Wuhan, China and then several cases of its infection were reported in more than 210 countries and territories. It is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection that is related to SARS-like-bat viruses; therefore bats could be the possible major reservoir of SARS-CoV-2. The intermediate source of origin and transfer to humans is not known, however, the rapid human to human transmission has been confirmed extensively. Yet, there is no clinically approved antiviral drug and vaccine available to treat the COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, few broad-spectrum antiviral drugs tested against the virus in clinical trials, resulted in clinical recovery. In the present article, we summarized the characteristics, transmission, pathogenicity, economic impact, mortality rate and discussed the current treatment and scientific advancement to combat the novel coronavirus.