Recent Insights into Emerging Coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak that emerged at the end of 2019 has affected more than 58 million people with more than 1.38 million deaths and has had an incalculable impact on the world. Extensive prevention and treatment measures have been implemented since the pandemic. In this Review, we summarize current understanding on the source, transmission characteristics, and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. We also detail the recent development of diagnostic methods and potential treatment strategies of COVID-19 with focus on the ongoing clinical trials of antibodies, vaccines, and inhibitors for combating the emerging coronavirus.

Automated summary

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak that started at the end of 2019 has impacted over 58 million people globally, resulting in more than 1.38 million deaths and profound effects on the world. Current understanding of the source, transmission characteristics, and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 has been summarized, along with ongoing efforts in diagnostic methods and potential treatment strategies, including clinical trials for antibodies, vaccines, and inhibitors.