An Overview of the Epidemiologic, Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches of COVID-19: What do We Know?

• Published in: Public health reviews Vol. 42; p. 1604061
• Main Authors: Beyrampour-Basmenj, Hanieh, Milani, Morteza, Ebrahimi-Kalan, Abbas, Ben Taleb, Ziyad, Ward, Kenneth D, Dargahi Abbasabad, Ghader, Aliyari-serej, Zeynab, Ebrahimi Kalan, Mohammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 17.06.2021
• Subjects: corona disease 2019; COVID-19; diagnosis; epidemiology; Public Health Archive; SARS-CoV-2; treatment
• ISSN: 2107-6952; 0301-0422; 2107-6952
• DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604061

Background: In late December 2019, a new infectious respiratory disease (COVID-19) was reported in a number of patients with a history of exposure to the Huanan seafood market in China. The World Health Organization officially announced the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Here, we provided an overview of the epidemiologic, diagnostic and treatment approaches associated with COVID-19. Methods: We reviewed the publications indexed in major biomedical databases by December 20, 2020 or earlier (updated on May 16, 2021). Search keywords included a combination of: COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2, Epidemiology, Prevention, Diagnosis, Vaccine, and Treatment. We also used available information about COVID-19 from valid sources such as WHO. Results and Conclusion: At the time of writing this review, while most of the countries authorized COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use starting December 8, 2020, there is no a definite cure for it. This review synthesizes current knowledge of virology, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnostic approaches, common treatment strategies, novel potential therapeutic options for control and prevention of COVID-19 infection, available vaccines, public health and clinical implications.