ABSTRACT
Novel coronavirus (nCoV) spill over event, with its epicenter in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, has emerged as a public health emergency of international concern. This began as an outbreak in December 2019. Since its transmission is airborne, it has become a very big challenge for controlling the spread. The pandemic has catalyzed the development of novel coronavirus vaccines across the biotech industry, both by pharmaceutical companies and research organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA. It is now one of the top-priority pathogens to be dealt with, because of high transmissibility, severe illness and associated mortality. This chapter highlights the morphological characteristics, the clinical diagnosis and mode of transmission, replication, symptoms, preventions and treatments. This chapter also includes COVID-19 spread analysis using SIR model across few countries and its ability to predict “when would flattening of curve occurs for a country?” also how machine learning (ML)and artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in estimating the spread. At this moment, appropriate treatment for the virus has not been identified. Combination of antiviral, anti-malarial drugs has been used all over the globe. As of now, social distancing and quarantine are best options to control the pandemic. This chapter is written with aim of providing specific information on COVID-19 which would serve as reference for further studies. © Springer International Publishing AG 2018.