With the continued spread of COVID-19 across the world, rapid diagnostic tools, readily available respurposable drugs, and prompt containment measures to control the SARS-CoV-2 infection are of paramount importance. Examples of recent advances in diagnostic tests are CRISPR technology, IgG assay, spike protein detection, and use of artificial intelligence. The gold standard reverse transcription polymerase chain (RT-PCR) has also been upgraded with point-of-care rapid tests. Supportive treatment, mechanical ventilation, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remain the primary choice, while therapeutic options include antivirals, antiparasitics, anti-inflammatories, interferon, convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibody, hyperimmunoglobulin, RNAi, and mesenchymal stem cell therapy. Different types of vaccines such as RNA, DNA, and lentiviral, inactivated, and viral vector are in clinical trials. Moreover, rapidly deployable and easy-to-transport innovative vaccine delivery systems are also in development. As countries have started easing down on the lockdown measures, the chance for a second wave of infection demands strict and rational control policies to keep fatalities minimized. An improved understanding of the advances in diagnostic tools, treatments, vaccines, and control measures for COVID-19 can provide references for further research and aid better containment strategies.
: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered a worldwide unprecedented public health crisis. Initially, COVID-19 was considered as a disease of the respiratory system as fever and at least one respiratory symptom was used to identify a suspected COVID-19 case. But there are now numerous reports of COVID-19 patients presenting with myriads of extrapulmonary symptoms and a substantial number of patients are asymptomatic as well. Additionally, there are significant clinical and epidemiological variations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCOV-2) infection across different geographical locations. The updated research thus challenges the existing surveillance system that is mainly based on fever and respiratory symptoms. As countries are coming out of lockdown to save economic fallout, a revised surveillance strategy is required to effectively identify and isolate the correct patients. Besides, since developing countries are becoming the new epicenters of pandemic and there are limited resources for RT-PCR based tests, so documenting the clinical spectrum can play a vital role in the syndromic clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. A plethora of atypical symptoms also aids in guiding better treatment and remains as a source for further research. It is therefore crucial to understand the common and uncommon clinical manifestations of SARS-COV-2 infection and its variability across different geographic regions.
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