ABSTRACT
Much has been learnt about severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) since the beginning of theCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management. Unlike its zoonotic predecessor SARS-CoV which was largely a symptomatic disease where fever was a hallmark, a significant proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections can be asymptomatic (40%), while severe disease (requiring oxygen supplementation or ventilatory support) occurs in approximately 20%, and mortality in about 2% of infected patients. Extra-pulmonary COVID-19 manifestations are also more protean, compared to SARS. Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment for most patients, but for those who progress to severe COVID-19, antivirals such as remdesivir and immunomodulatory treatment (such as corticosteroids or theJAK-inhibitor, baricitinib) may improve outcomes. While further advances in the management of COVID-19 are anticipated (including novel therapies), prevention of infection through public health measures (including vaccination), will remain as vital facets in confronting this pandemic. © 2023 by World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd.