Approaches towards fighting the COVID-19 pandemic (Review)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, which has caused >46 millions confirmed infections and >1.2 million coronavirus related deaths, is one of the most devastating worldwide crises in recent years. Infection with COVID-19 results in a fever, dry cough, general fatigue, respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea and a sore throat, similar to those of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The causative agent of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is a novel coronavirus strain. To date, remdesivir has been granted emergency use authorization for use in the management of infection. Additionally, several efficient diagnostic tools are being actively developed, and novel drugs and vaccines are being evaluated for their efficacy as therapeutic agents against COVID-19, or in the prevention of infection. The present review highlights the prevalent clinical manifestations of COVID-19, characterizes the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome sequence and life cycle, highlights the optimal methods for preventing viral transmission, and discusses possible molecular pharmacological mechanisms and approaches in the development of anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents. In addition, the use of traditional Chinese medicines for management of COVID-19 is discussed. It is expected that novel anti-viral agents, vaccines or an effective combination therapy for treatment/management of SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread therapy will be developed and implemented in 2021, and we would like to extend our best regards to the frontline health workers across the world in their fight against COVID-19.