Outbreak of Deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic: Diagnosis and Management

An outbreak of COVID-19 disease was caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019. The health crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic has put the world at risk and posed significant challenges to healthcare systems around the world. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is spread by inhalation or contact with infected droplets resulting in a wide spectrum of symptoms, such as fever, cough, breathlessness, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, etc., or may be asymptomatic. During pandemic, diagnostic techniques including molecular and serological testing have been of great help in identifying infected persons and guiding preventive measures. Antigen-antibody and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been widely employed for early identification of infected persons. Management of the SARS-CoV-2 spread has largely depended on early case detection, contact tracing, and isolation of the infected person. Healthcare professionals, public health organizations, and governments have worked together to implement a variety of measures that have proven successful in reducing transmission rates. Several therapeutic strategies have been investigated for the treatment of COVID-19, such as immunomodulatory therapy, plasma therapy, antiviral drugs, and cell-based therapy. Remdesivir (an antiviral drug) and hydroxychloroquine (an antimalarial drug) has shown potential in reducing hospitalization and improving recovery rates in complicated patients. Different types of vaccines including inactivated virus vaccines, protein-based vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and RNA and DNA vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed. Several types of herbal remedies play a major role in boosting immunity and minimizing the symptoms of COVID-19. Additionally, social distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination campaigns have played pivotal roles in preventing the virus’s spread and lessening its effects on communities. We might be more capable of managing pandemics by implementing future strategies into practice such as improving diagnostic facilities, hospital infrastructure, and public health measures.