SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Beginning to Understand a New Virus

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021:1321:3-19. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-59261-5_1.

Abstract

Within the last two decades, several members of the Coronaviridae family demonstrated epidemic potential. In late 2019, an unnamed genetic relative, later named SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), erupted in the highly populous neighborhoods of Wuhan, China. Unchecked, COVID-19 spread rapidly among interconnected communities and related households before containment measures could be enacted. At present, the mortality rate of COVID-19 infection worldwide is 6.6%. In order to mitigate the number of infections, restrictions or recommendations on the number of people that can gather in a given area have been employed by governments worldwide. For governments to confidently lift these restrictions as well as counter a potential secondary wave of infections, alternative medications and diagnostic strategies against COVID-19 are urgently required. This review has focused on these issues.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Semen; Wuhan.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • China
  • Epidemics*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2