COVID-19 by SARS-CoV-2: the terrible pandemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak an internationally important public health emergency on 30 January  2020, and by 11 March declared it a pandemic. By 15 November 2020, according  to the WHO weekly report, there were  53.7 million confirmed cases and  1.3 million deaths reported globally. The Americas region is the most affected. The incubation period has been documented between 3 and 6 days. Transmission occurs from person to person by  respiratory droplets, which occur when a person speaks, coughs or sneezes.  The clinical presentation can range from a mild respiratory disease, with coughing, headache, and  general discomfort, which resolves in a few days, to a severe disease with shortness of breath, that requires immediate attention.  Global lethality reported as of November 26 is 2.3%. It is higher in people over the age of 65 and with underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. There is currently no specific antiviral treatment. Vaccines are in development and several of them have shown promising results, but there is still a need to conclude with global trials. Until vaccination can be initiated,  prevention and control measures should be continued.  The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid exposure to infected or possibly infected people, as the virus can be transmitted even if the person has no symptoms.