Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): the pandemic according to current evidence

Abstract

Introduction: At the end of 2019, Wuhan, a city in China, reported the first cases of COVID-19, one of the biggest threats for global health in the past decades. Methods: Updated literature was reviewed, using key words in databases PUBMED and ScienceDirect. Results: COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, an emergent virus responsible of a pandemic that has rapidly spread around the world, including Honduras. Virus is transmitted mainly by droplets and aerosols. 81% of confirmed cases of COVID-19 are mild, with a global case fatality rate near 5%, affecting mostly elderly people, especially with underlying diseases. Clinical presentation includes fever, dry cough, fatigue and dyspnea. Case confirmation of COVID-19 is based on rRT-PCR from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs. Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. Drugs and treatments have been proposed for severe cases of the disease, based on preclinical and small clinical studies. Countries are taking radical measures for prevention, such as social isolation and quarantine, while scientists find an effective and safe vaccine against the virus. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading, and several studies about the most effective prevention and treatment measures, are currently running.