COVID-19: a review

• Published in: IJS Short Reports
• Main Authors: Papadopoulos, Constantinos, Chong, Sebastian Jen Kin, Jaunoo, Shameen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) 2020
• Subjects: General Medicine; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/sr9.0000000000000007; https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/SR9.0000000000000007

Severe respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been at the center of global attention recently, ever since its initial appearance in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. This novel disease has been a source of growing concern which has been shared internationally by social communities and health care professionals alike, due to its exponentially increasing rate of infection and difficulty to control. Currently, no definitive or effective treatment has been found for COVID-19, but there are several ongoing trials investigating whether a certain medication, vaccination, or supportive therapy might prove to be effective. Coincidentally, SARS-CoV-2 may be a new pathogen, but it resembles SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV coronaviruses in its genome, structure, modes of transmission, and pathogenesis. This has contributed to an advantageous understanding of the virus and has served as the basis of decision-making for infection control plans, research, and management of the disease. As of July, 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to every continent excluding Antarctica, with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in virtually every country, and is responsible for over 500,000 deaths worldwide. This review of the COVID-19 pandemic aims to offer a comprehensive and thorough explanation of the disease, including its significance and impact on surgery, by drawing information from the most up to date and relevant sources available.