The Coronavirus Disease of 2019: Prevention, Management and Treatment Strategies

The recent COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) has taken the world by surprise since its outbreak in 2019, and as on February 2021, the world had experienced a total of 107,643,141 (one hundred and seven million, six hundred and forty-three thousand, one hundred and forty-one) confirmed infection cases and 2,358,244 (two million, three hundred and fifty-eight thousand, two hundred and forty-four) deaths world-wide. This virus, although less lethal than the previous human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV), is reported highly infectious and mutable. This has led to a concerted effort by numerous governments and private organisations to try and halt the spread of the virus through the development of highly effective therapeutic drugs or prophylactic therapy. There are various drugs, vaccines and other forms of Review Article Egbe et al.; JABB, 24(1): 12-24, 2021; Article no.JABB.65162 13 therapies currently being developed all over the world, with some at various clinical trial stages, with only one (Remdesivir) being fully approved treatment of the COVID-19 disease. The latest breakthrough with Dexamethasone has currently revealed the efficacy of the drug in treating critically ill and even mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, and this has led to the approval of the drug by the United Kingdom and World Health Organization (WHO). The recent development of a protective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has created hope for life and restoration of normalcy.