The novel coronavirus is considered a global health crisis that has become a global economic crisis. More than 8,300 people have died worldwide, and more than 253,000 cases have been confirmed in over 185 countries. Leading healthcare authorities are continuously making efforts to control the outbreak of novel coronavirus which is named as ‘COVID-19’.
To date, countries including China, Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany, and South Korea have reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases. China has 80,967 total number of cases with 3,248 total death. However, the spread of Covid-19 in the country has slowed dramatically, according to China’s National Health Commission, but elsewhere Covid-19 is rising. Italy, Iran, and Spain have reported the highest death caused due to COVID-19. Italy has surpassed the total deaths with 3,405 till 20th March.
The FDA is working with US government partners including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical product manufacturers, and international partners to closely monitor and mitigate the effects of an outbreak caused by a COVID-19 first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Drug manufacturers are engaged in the development of anti-viral drugs for COVID-19. Till now, there is no FDA approved drug for COVID-19. However, countries are using HIV and SARS drugs to prevent more casualties.
The highlighted events observed in coronavirus pandemic-
- On 31st December 2019, National Authorities reported the first case of pneumonia of unknown cause (novel coronavirus) to WHO, detected in Wuhan, China.
- Later, on 4th January 2020, China reported a few more cases of “pneumonia” with no deaths detected in Wuhan, China.
- On 10th January 2020, WHO issued a tool for countries to detect a novel coronavirus developed with reference to other coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS.
- On 13th January 2020, the first case of the novel coronavirus was confirmed Thailand, outside China.
- On 22-23 February, the WHO Director-General assembled the Emergency Committee to consider the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China, with cases also reported in the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.
- Considering novel coronavirus as a global threat to human health and economies, on 25th January 2020, WHO launched a free online introductory course on the novel coronavirus in different languages.
- Due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, WHO declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
- On 5th February 2020, under Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP), a total fund of $675 million was provided to protect states with weaker health systems.
- On 11th February 2020, Novel coronavirus disease named COVID-19.
- On 17th February 2020, WHO issues guidance on mass gathering and taking care of ill travelers.
- On 18th February 2020, WHO supplied personal protective equipment to 21 countries.
- On 1st March 2020, UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock released $15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to WHO and UNICEF to help fund global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus.
- By 8th March 2020, 100 countries detected COVID-19 cases with around 100,000 positive cases.
- On 11th March 2020, WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic.
- On 17th March 2020, WHO called on Member states in South-East Asia Region to urgently scale-up aggressive measures to combat COVID-19, as confirmed cases cross 480, and the disease caused eight casualties.
