Comprehensive Overview on Multiple Strategies Fighting COVID-19

Abstract

Lately, myriad of novel viruses have emerged causing epidemics such as SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, leading to high mortality rates worldwide. Thus, these viruses represented a challenging threat to mankind, especially considering the miniscule data available at our disposal regarding these novel viruses. The entire world established coordinative relations in research projects regarding drug and vaccine development on the external range, whereas on the internal range, all countries declared it an emergency case through imposing different restrictions related to their border control, large gatherings, school attendance, and most social activities. Pandemic combating plans prioritized all sectors including normal people, medical staff politicians, and scientists collectively shouldered the burden. Through planning and learning the previous lessons from SARS and MERS, healthcare systems could succeed in combating the viral spread and implications of these new pandemics. Different management strategies including social distance, social awareness and isolation represented successful ways to slow down the spread of the pandemic. Furthermore, pre-preparedness of some countries for emergencies is crucial to minimize the consequences of the crisis.

Keywords: economic recession; global health responses; health care systems; strategies; symptoms.

Figure 1

Comparison between total deaths and confirmed cases in some countries from 21 January till 14 April 2020 [10].

Figure 2

Case fatality rate (CFR) in some affected countries from 21 January till 14 April 2020 [10].

Figure 3

Change in numbers of confirmed cases over time [11,12,13,14,15,16].

Figure 4

Common governmental responses to COVID-19.