An overview of COVID-19

Pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection emerged in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. By Feb. 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named the disease resulting from infection with SARS-CoV-2 as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 represents a spectrum of clinical manifestations that typically include fever, dry cough, and fatigue, often with pulmonary involvement. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and most individuals within the population at large are susceptible to infection. Wild animal hosts and infected patients are currently the main sources of disease which is transmitted via respiratory droplets and direct contact. Since the outbreak, the Chinese government and scientific community have acted rapidly to identify the causative agent and promptly shared the viral gene sequence, and have carried out measures to contain the epidemic. Meanwhile, recent research has revealed critical aspects of SARS-CoV-2 biology and disease pathogenesis; other studies have focused on epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, as well as drug and vaccine development. This review aims to summarize the latest research findings and to provide expert consensus. We will also share ongoing efforts and experience in China, which may provide insight on how to contain the epidemic and improve our understanding of this emerging infectious disease, together with updated guidance for prevention, control, and critical management of this pandemic. 2019 年 12 月中国湖北省武汉市爆发由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒 2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) 感染引起的新型冠状病毒肺炎. 2020 年 2 月 11 日, 世界卫生组织 (World Health Organization,WHO) 将该疾病正式命名为COVID-19(coronavirus disease 2019). COVID-19 临床表现多样, 典型表现为发热、 干咳和乏力, 常出现肺部受累. SARS-CoV-2 传染性较强, 人群普遍易感. 野生动物宿主和患者为 SARS-CoV-2 主要传染源, 呼吸道飞沫传播和接触传播为主要传播途径. 自发现该病流行以来, 中国政府和科学界迅速明确了此次疫情病原体, 并及时向全世界公开病毒基因序列, 同时采取一系列措施控制疫情. 全球科研工作者从新型冠状病毒肺炎的病原生物学和发病机制、 流行病学、 临床特征、 诊断治疗和药物疫苗研发等各方面入手, 开展了一系列研究工作. 本文通过综述最新研究成果、 专家共识, 以及中国抗疫经验, 以期加强对该新发传染病的认识, 为防控治疗提供参考.