ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the virology, clinical features, epidemiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and promising vaccines and treatments for the COVID-19 infection. The mode of transmission of the virus has not yet been fully elucidated with current data showing that human-to-human transmission occurs primarily through nasal or oral droplets. Prevalence estimates are exploding as not only the cases but also the availability of diagnostic tests multiplies. One of the most important parameters highlighting the severity of the COVID-19 disease is mortality. Countries around the world have reported very different mortality rates, namely the number of COVID-19-associated deaths divided by the number of confirmed cases. The most common health conditions associated with more severe morbidity or mortality rate among adult patients with COVID-19 include arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and coronary disease, chronic respiratory conditions, chronic kidney failure, immunocompromised status, cancer, smoking, obesity, and pregnancy
