Epidemiology of COVID-19

Asiya Kamber Zaidi; Rohan Bir Singh

doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.09.002

Epidemiology of COVID-19

Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2024:202:25-38. doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.09.002. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Authors

Asiya Kamber Zaidi¹, Rohan Bir Singh²

Affiliations

¹ ENT Surgeon and Research Fellow, Associazione Naso Sano, Italy. Electronic address: asiyazaidia@gmail.com.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United State; Department of Population, Policy and Practice, Greater Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom; Discipline of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Australia.

PMID: 38237988
DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.09.002

Abstract

This chapter provides a detailed exploration of the epidemiology of COVID-19, focusing on several key aspects that offer valuable insights into the disease progression. A comprehensive comparison is made between the three related coronaviruses: SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2, elucidating their similarities and differences in terms of transmission dynamics, clinical presentation, laboratory and radiological findings, infection mechanisms, and mortality rates. The concept of herd immunity is then discussed, exploring its relevance and potential implications for controlling the spread of COVID-19. Next, the chapter delves into the changing epidemiology of the disease, examining how various factors such as human behavior, public health interventions, and viral mutations have influenced its transmission patterns and severity over time. Finally, the timelines and evolution of COVID-19 are outlined, tracing the origins of the virus, its rapid global spread, and the emergence of new variants.

Keywords: Delta variant; Epidemiology; Herd immunity; Novel coronavirus; Omicron; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
Humans
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus* / genetics
Public Health
SARS-CoV-2