An Update on COVID-19 Pandemic: The Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Prevention and Treatment Strategies.

Tsang, Hin Fung; Chan, Lawrence Wing Chi; Cho, William Chi Shing; Yu, Allen Chi Shing; Yim, Aldrin Kay Yuen; Chan, Amanda Kit Ching; Ng, Lawrence Po Wah; Wong, Yin Kwan Evelyn; Pei, Xiao Meng; Li, Marco Jing Woei; Wong, Sze Chuen Cesar

INTRODUCTION To date, the transmission of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is still overwhelming with the fact that numbers of confirmed cases and deaths keep increasing. As of 1 October, 2020, 33,842,281 confirmed cases and 1,010,634 confirmed deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization from 216 countries. Despite the urgent need of effective treatment strategies, there is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19 currently and the treatment guidelines for COVID-19 vary among countries. AREA COVERED In this article, we summarized the current knowledge about the causative pathogen and the pandemic worldwide. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention and various treatment options of COVID-19 will be discussed for better acknowledgment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). EXPERT OPINION The situation of the COVID-19 pandemic is still unpredictable. There is no effective vaccine or specific anti-viral drug to treat serve COVID-19 patients. Combination therapies such as a triple combination of interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin or hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin have shown promising clinical improvement. Repurposing FDA-approved drugs might be one of possible treatment options. Without specific treatment and vaccines for COVID-19, the most effective way to prevent from being infected is to generate an ecosystem with effective protection, precautions and preventive measures.