Abstract
The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic started with few cases of pneumonia
of unknown origin in Wuhan, China. It has now become one of the significant public
health emergencies of all time. Within 5 months of its existence, it has led to a
significant impact on national and international policies. Apart from being a medical
emergency, it is also affecting the global economy, and without proper measures, it
may have severely impact the socioeconomic statuses of individuals. It has profoundly
challenged the healthcare infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
Every nation is trying to safeguard its population and the health workers as adequately
as possible. While we still wait for the development of an absolute cure in the form
of a vaccine, preventive measures have taken the lead in reducing the disease spread
and breaking the chain of transmission. The knowledge gained from the clinical characteristics
of patients has suggested markers or comorbid conditions that may aid in the risk
assessment. This narrative review aims to provide an update on SARS-CoV-2, the causative
virus of COVID-19, its pathogenesis, the clinical and laboratory features, and its
association with several comorbid conditions that may influence the prognosis of this
disease.
Keywords
COVID-19 - ACE2 - aging - diabetes - hypovitaminosis
