What we know about SARS-CoV-2: recent research progress

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel member of the coronavirus family. The virus has caused disease in more than 18 million people worldwide, including respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, digestive and urinary symptoms. However, the first infected case was identified as unexplained pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 has stronger infection and transmission ability than SARS-CoV, which caused a pneumonia epidemic in 2003. Many researchers have carried out extensive studies on SARS-CoV-2. They have focused on further elucidating the microbiological characteristics of this virus and have made gradual progress in developing vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and antiviral drugs. Our country has made remarkable achievements in vaccine research. In this review, we focus on recent research progress on the biological characteristics, origin, infection and host immune response, transmission and treatment of SARS-CoV-2.