The 2019 Novel CoronaVirus / COVID-19 – An Update
Abstract
There is a new public health crisis threatening the world with the emergence of the novel coronavirus-19 or COVID-19 in Wuhan, China and its subsequent global spread. It is believed to have originated in bats and transmitted to humans through yet unknown intermediary animals. There have been more than 1 million cases and 50000 deaths till date (3/4/2020). The disease is transmitted through inhalation or contact with infected droplets and the usual incubation period is 5 days (range 2-14 days). The symptoms are mild in most people but 5-20% of patients (usually the elderly and those with comorbidities) may suffer from severe disease. The case fatality rate is estimated to range between 2-3%. Diagnosis is by specific molecular tests in respiratory samples. Treatment is essentially supportive. The role of antiviral agents (remdesiwir, lopinavir- ritonavir) and anti inflammatory agents (chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, tocilizumab) is being explored. Prevention at the community level includes hand hygiene, cough etiquette, social distancing, travel restrictions and even lock downs. Strict infection control measures need to be instituted in hospitals to prevent spread to health care workers and other patients.
References
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20. Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al. Clinical Characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China. N Engl J Med. 2020;10.1056/NEJMoa2002032.
21. Zhang L, Jiang Y, Wei M, et al. Analysis of the Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women With COVID-19 in Hubei Province. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2020;55(0):E009. doi:10.3760/ cma.j.cn112141-20200218-00111.
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23. Dong Y, Mo X, Hu Y, et al. Epidemiological Characteristics of 2143 Pediatric Patients With 2019 Coronavirus Disease in China. Pediatrics. 2020;e20200702. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-0702
24. Brodin P. Why is COVID-19 so mild in children? Acta Paediatr. 2020;10.1111/apa.15271. doi:10.1111/apa.15271.
25. Sommer P, Lukovic E, Fagley E, et al. Initial Clinical Impressions of the Critical Care of COVID-19 Patients in Seattle, New York City, and Chicago. Anesth Analg. 2020;10.1213/ ANE.0000000000004830.
26. CDC COVID-19 Response Team. Severe Outcomes Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – United States, February 12-March 16, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2020;69(12):343–346.
27. Wang W, Xu Y, Gao R, et al. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Different Types of Clinical Specimens. . doi:10.1001/jama.2020.3786.
28. Zhao J, Yuan Q, Wang H, et al. Antibody responses to SARSCoV- 2 in patients of novel coronavirus disease 2019. Clin Infect Dis. 2020; ciaa344. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa344 29. Lippi G, Plebani M. Laboratory abnormalities in patients with COVID-2019 infection. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2020;/j/cclm.aheadof-
print/cclm-2020-0198/cclm-2020-0198.xml.
30. Huang P, Liu T, Huang L, et al. Use of Chest CT in Combination with Negative RT-PCR Assay for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus but High Clinical Suspicion. Radiology. 2020;200330.
31. Government of India Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Directorate General of Health Services (EMR Division) Revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID – 19. Available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedNationalClinicalManagementGuidelineforCOVID1931032020. pdf. Accessed on
April 3,2020.
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120.15082
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35. Holshue ML, DeBolt C, Lindquist S, et al. First Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2020;10.1056/ NEJMoa2001191.
36. Zhang L, Liu Y. Potential Interventions for Novel Coronavirus in China: A Systemic Review. J Med Virol. 2020;10.1002/ jmv.25707.
37. Russell CD, Millar JE, Baillie JK. Clinical evidence does not support corticosteroid treatment for 2019-n CoV lung injury.Lancet. 2020;395[10223]:473–475.
38. Zhao JP, Hu Y, Du RH, et al. Expert Consensus on the Use of Corticosteroid in Patients With 2019-nCoV Pneumonia. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi. 2020;43[0]:E007.
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43. Wang J, Zhou M, Liu F. Exploring the reasons for healthcare workers infected with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. J Hosp Infect. 2020;S0195-6701(20)30101- 8.
44. Recommendations for empiric use of hydroxy-chloroquine for prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Available at https://icmr. nic.in/sites/default/files/upload_documents/HCQ_Recommendation_ 22March_final_MM_V2.pdf. Accessed March 25,2020.
45. Li J, Li JJ, Xie X, et al. Game consumption and the 2019 novel coronavirus. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(3):275–276. doi:10.1016/ S1473-3099(20)30063-3.
Published
2020-04-27
How to Cite
Dr Tanu Singhal. (2020). The 2019 Novel CoronaVirus / COVID-19 – An Update. The Indian Practitioner, 73(4), 38-44. Retrieved from https://articles.theindianpractitioner.com/index.php/tip/article/view/963
Section
Special Article
