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The ongoing pandemic of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), has created a major challenge for the
public health worldwide. The reported cases indicate the outbreak is more widespread than initially assumed. Around 18
million people have been infected with 689,000 reported deaths (August 2020; number is increasing daily) by this novel
coronavirus, with a high mutation rate this poses even more serious threat worldwide. The actual source of COVID-19 is
still unclear, even if the initial reports links it to the Chinese seafood wet markets in Wuhan, other animals such as birds,
snakes, and many small mammals including bats are also linked with this novel coronavirus. Structure of the COVID-19
shows distinctive proteins among which, spike proteins have a pivotal role in host cell attachment and virus-cell membrane
fusion in order to facilitate virus infection. Currently, no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine is available. Various drug
candidates including SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV protease inhibitors, neuraminidase inhibitors, RNA synthesis inhibitors,
ACE2 inhibitors and lungs supportive therapy are on the trail. Cell-based therapy also appeared with remarkable treatment
possibilities. In this article, we endeavored to succinctly cover the current and available treatment options including pharmaceuticals, cell-based therapy, and traditional medicine. We also focused on the extent of damages by this novel coronavirus
in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the strategies adopted and the research activities initiated so far by these densely populated countries (neighboring China) are explained in this review.
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