ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has quickly become a worldwide threat to health, travel, and commerce. This overview analyzes the best information from the early research, including epidemiologic and demographic features from SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV viruses; lessons learned from the experience of an emergency physician in Northern Italy, where the outbreak has devastated the healthcare system; evidence on transmission and prevention through safe use of PPE; evidence and advice on SARS-CoV-2 testing and co-infection; management options; airway management options; steps for rapid sequence intubation in the ED and managing disaster ventilation; and information on managing pediatric and pregnant patients.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections , Emergency Service, Hospital , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional/prevention & control , Personal Protective Equipment , Pneumonia, Viral , Adult , Airway Management , Betacoronavirus/genetics , Betacoronavirus/pathogenicity , COVID-19 , Child , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Coronavirus Infections/transmission , Disaster Planning , Female , Humans , Hydroxyethylrutoside , Infection Control/methods , Intubation/methods , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnosis , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , Pneumonia, Viral/transmission , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Respiration, Artificial , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Prior to the global outbreak of SARS-CoV in 2003, HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 were the only coronaviruses known to infect humans. Following the SARS outbreak, 5 additional coronaviruses have been discovered in humans, most recently the novel coronavirus COVID-19, believed to have originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. SARS-CoV and MERSCoV are particularly pathogenic in humans and are associated with high mortality. In this review, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of the recently discovered COVID-19 are reviewed, with a focus on best practices and the public health implications.