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Review
. 2020 Apr 1;8(1):e41.
eCollection 2020.

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of COVID-19; a Narrative Review

Goodarz Kolifarhood  1   2 , Mohammad Aghaali  1 , Hossein Mozafar Saadati  1 , Niloufar Taherpour  1 , Sajjad Rahimi  1   3 , Neda Izadi  2 , Seyed Saeed Hashemi Nazari  4
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of COVID-19; a Narrative Review

Goodarz Kolifarhood et al. Arch Acad Emerg Med. .

Abstract

There are significant misconceptions and many obstacles in the way of illuminating the epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19 as a new emerging epidemic. In addition, usefulness of some evidence published in the context of the recent epidemic for decision making in clinic as well as public health is questionable. However, misinterpreting or ignoring strong evidence in clinical practice and public health probably results in less effective and somehow more harmful decisions for individuals as well as subgroups in general populations of countries in the initial stages of this epidemic. Accordingly, our narrative review appraised epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease including genetic diversity of coronavirus genus, mode of transmission, incubation period, infectivity, pathogenicity, virulence, immunogenicity, diagnosis, surveillance, clinical case management and also successful measures for preventing its spread in some communities.

Keywords: COVID-19; communicable diseases; emerging; epidemiology; public health; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

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