12 Feb Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): The epidemic and the challenges
Chih-Cheng Lai, Tzu-Ping Shih, Wen-Chien Ko, Hung-Jen Tang, Po-Ren Hsueh
ABSTRACT
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; formerly provisionally named 2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV disease) (COVID-19) in China in late 2019 has caused a globalized outbreak and is a major public health problem. As of February 11, 2020, data from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that more than 43000 confirmed cases were identified in 28 countries/regions, with >99% of the cases detected in China. On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 the sixth public health emergency of international concern.
SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to two bat-derived severe acute respiratory syndrome-like coronaviruses, bat-SL-CoVZC45 and bat-SL-CoVZXC21.
It is transmitted by person-to-person transmission through droplets or direct contact, and the infection is estimated to have a median incubation period of 6,4 days and a basal reproduction number of 2,24 to 3,58.
Among patients with pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 (novel coronavirus pneumonia or Wuhan pneumonia), fever was the most common symptom, followed by cough.
Bilateral lung involvement with ground glass opacity was the most common finding on chest computed tomography images.
The only case of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in the US is responding well to remdesivir, which is now undergoing a clinical trial in China.
Currently, infection control to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is the primary intervention being used. However, public health authorities must closely monitor the situation, as the more we can learn about this new virus and its associated outbreak, the better we can respond.