Submitted:
14 April 2020
Posted:
16 April 2020
Read the latest preprint version here
Preprints on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2
Abstract
Background: There is a current worldwide outbreak of a new type of coronavirus COVID-19. The number of confirmed infected cases is rapidly increasing. Method: This paper analyzes the characteristics of COVID-19 in comparison with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and influenza. Diagnostic data for foreign citizens evacuated from Wuhan were collected and compiled. Current prevention and control strategies have been analyzed. Results: COVID-19 is similar to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV virologically and etiologically, but similar to influenza in epidemiology and virulence. The prevalence rate in Wuhan was inferred to be close to 1%. The comparison provides a new perspective for the future of the disease, and offers some advice in the prevention and control management strategy. Conclusion: The large number of patients and the strong occult nature are two big problems, making the virus difficult to eradicate. We need to contemplate the possibility of long-term co-existence with COVID-19.
Keywords:
coronavirus
; epidemiology
; 2019-nCoV
; COVID-19
Copyright: This open access article is published under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license, which permit the free download, distribution, and reuse, provided that the author and preprint are cited in any reuse.
