COVID-19: A deadly outbreak on planet earth

Abstract

Coronavirus may be a large group of viruses and recently identified coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan City, China. After that it spread rapidly to other countries. Some studies show positive, and few others exhibit negative relationship between COVID-19 and sunlight. There is controversy about its intermediate host. Snake, turtles, and pangolins are considered the intermediate hosts, however bat is regarded as the primary host. It belongs to Nidovirales order, family is Coronaviridae, and subfamily is Coronavirinae. The transmission may occur through various ways. The structure of COVID-19 is enveloped and spherical with a positive single strand. Various accessory, structural, and non-structural proteins are present in it. Life cycle involves attachment, entry, replication, translation, assembly, and then its release. B.1.1.7, B.1.351, p.1, and b.1.617 are a few important variants of SARS-CoV-2. An increase of cholesterol level supports the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Statins with lower cholesterol level lessens COVID-19 entry. Fever, cough, fatigue, headache, sputum production, diarrhea, dysphonia, etc. are common symptoms of COVID-19. RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, CT scan, antibodies and antigen are various tests for COVID-19 detection. Various drugs and convalescent plasma are used for its treatment. People are also now vaccinated, and these vaccines also have side effects like fever, fatigue, headache etc. Preventive measures must be carried out to prevent its spread.