COVID-19 outbreak: An overview and India’s perspectives on the management of infection

Abstract

Objectives: To provide an overview of COVID-19 including epidemiology, pathogenesis, transmission, clinical features, diagnosis, antiviral agents, prevention and risk management strategies in India. Methods: The inclusion criteria for this study were Indian population. The article discusses the COVID-19 confirmed cases, recovered and death cases from March, 2020 to till date in the Indian population. People who have been tested COVID-19 positive with aymptomatic or mild to moderate symptoms. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients with previous history of respiratory disease or other pneumonia. Findings: For the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, RT-PCR was found to be the most sensitive method. A Serological test used to detect the presence of SARSCoV-2 antibodies present in blood serum. In India, self-quarantine and physical distancing was found to be the effective way to prevent the spread of infection.Few clinically approved repurposing drugs such as Favipiravir, Remdesivir,Lopinavir/ Ritonavir, Hydroxychloroquine (or chloroquine) and Dexamethasone were entered into clinical trial in human. Improvement: This study will also help to raise awareness of the current pandemic among primary and secondary health care providers. Simultaneously, our review also focuses on the most up-to-date COVID-19 cases and risk management strategies in India. It also highlighted about vaccines that are being developed by various countries including India against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical trials are ongoing with promising outcomes against this pandemic disease. Keywords: COVID19; epidemiology; pathogenesis; diagnosis; antiviral agents;management