The novel coronavirus pandemic 2020: The origin, transmission, virion properties and diagnosis of COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected human population at an alarming rate. Presently according to the World Health Organization, there are a reported 79 million cases worldwide, including over ~1.3 million deaths, since its discovery and outbreak in China, in December 2019. This is the third pandemic within 18 years by Coronaviruses, which are members of the family Coronaviridae. The first being severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 followed by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. The aim of this review article is to provide amalgamated information about the pandemic by elaborating on the history and the origin of Coronavirus. Furthermore, we have discussed transmission, symptoms, virion properties and diagnostics of COVID-19 available till date.