AN OVERVIEW ON COVID-19 OUTBREAK: EPIDEMIC TO PANDEMIC

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the novel coronavirus, which was initially called 2019-nCoV, consequently termed as SARS-CoV-2 by the experts of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) as it is exceptionally alike to the virus that caused the SARS outbreak in 2002 to 2003. World Health Organization already had declared COVID-19 as an international emergency as the disease is spreading at alarming levels. COVID-19 has affected more than 1,016,372 people around the world and killed more than 53,238 people. And even where the virus hasn’t yet spread, hospitals and clinics around the world have been preparing for a rush forward of coronavirus patients as a priority over everyday illnesses they treat. The label ‘international emergency’ has triggered governments of various countries to activate vigilance plans and probably take emergency measures to protect the public, such as more strong travel and trade restrictions. It is being observed that this is the first time this kind of virus, a coronavirus, has been labeled a pandemic, “but at the same time, it is being believed that it will be able to be contained or controlled if adopted proper measures. Since information about this virus is rapidly rising, it is the necessity of the time to remain updated. So in this article, we present on an overview of the presently obtainable information on the etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, therapeutic strategies, and management of this novel coronavirus. This review also aimed to present the concept of epidemic and pandemic phases according to WHO in a defined manner.