Treatment for COVID-19: Current Therapy and Challenges

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has been documented as the fifth pandemic since the flu pandemic of 1918, around a hundred years ago. It was first reported in Wuhan province in China. The coronavirus was officially named as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The cumulative death toll during this pandemic is 6,029,852, with an approximate death rate of 1.33%. This article focuses on the origin, and the virology of the virus. Then it focuses on various mutations occurring in the virus, with a special note on the mutation in spike protein. A mention of worldwide death statistics is then discussed. Several tests and how they are conducted in India are discussed thereafter. After that, various platforms for vaccine development alongside their manufacturing efficiency are discussed. It then focuses on remedies concerning vaccines both at the global and national level, with a special note on major manufacturers in India. The pros and cons of many new generation vaccines in the clinical or preclinical stage are also illustrated to some extent. Finally, the article focuses on several other challenges being faced or which can be faced in the future.