Coronaviruses - Volume 5, Issue 2, 2024

Not applicble

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to healthcare systems across the world, with rising cases of coronavirus infections leading to reduced hospital visits. The IPC interventions implemented by governments, such as restrictions of movements, curfews, school closures, and limited social gatherings, also impacted the provision of medical services in hospitals. In the Kenyan case, medical facilities and non-profit organizations became innovative and utilized telehealth to conduct patient consultations, perform diagnostic procedures, and provide treatment using ICT tools.

Background: The entire world witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. It has become deadly everywhere across the globe. COVID-19 mortality varies across age groups and has been linked to an individual's innate immunity. In contrast, it was more lethal in immunocompromised people. The spread of viruses is slowed by both passive immunity and vaccine-aided acquired immunity. However, vaccine-induced immunity is transient, and there is no assurance that vaccinemediated antibodies will be effective against all future virus mutants. As a result, natural immunity boosters have become essential supplements that must be used nowadays to stay immunized against such infections. In Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Indian spices have been used for a long time to boost the immune system and fight off different diseases. Objective: This review aims to disseminate information about traditional natural medicine in repurposing as an immunity booster and for antiviral effects in COVID-19. Methods: Using published articles from recent years, the in silico docking study, survey-based study, and in vitro and preclinical research work on selected traditional herbs for their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and antiviral properties are summarized. Withania somnifera, Piper nigrum, Emblica officinalis, Andrographis paniculate, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ocimum sanctum, Piper longum, and Curcuma longa are some of the most commonly used natural spices studied extensively and hence selected in this review. Results: This context summarizes selected plants showing immunomodulatory and antiviral effects in experimental animals, simulation, and clinical studies. Conclusion: By virtue of antiviral potential, the chosen herbs could be used for repurposing in COVID-19 management after thorough clinical investigations.

COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the global population. Infection with SARSCoV- 2 can be mild, severe, and even life-threatening. It is associated with cytokine storm, lung and even heart damage. With no specific treatment available for this contagious disease, induction of herd immunity through vaccination is being perceived as the only way out through this pandemic. Throughout the world, research groups and pharmaceutical companies are working independently or in collaboration to accelerate the process of COVID-19 vaccine development. Different countries have already started vaccination drives on a large scale to combat the disease. Today, we have a few approved vaccines, some are conventional, while others are subunit protein or nucleotide vaccines. This review describes the various vaccination strategies adopted the clinical and preclinical trials in developing some of the approved COVID-19 vaccines that are being administered around the world. The review also focuses on the challenges and adverse effects reported post-vaccination. Some of the proposed therapies for COVID-19 have also been elucidated. The effectiveness and safety of vaccines towards SARS-CoV-2 new variants suggest that more research in the field needs to be continued in the future.

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes ARDS, respiratory failure, organ failure, and even death. The immunopathology associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus involves an overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, commonly referred to as a "cytokine storm". SARS-CoV-2 is a positive-sense RNA virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic kept the world silent since its emergence by engulfing most public activities. The symptoms of COVID-19 like coughing, fatigue, dysphagia, and poor appetite reduce the nutritional intake among the patients. Therefore, the nutritional status of the infected patients needs monitoring. The deficiency of nutrition puts the patients at high risk during clinical therapy. Moreover, insufficient micronutrients lead to weakened immune responses, causing improper cytokine secretion, changes in secretory antibody response, and reduced antibody affinity; all of which enhance the vulnerability of viral infections. As the pandemic is affecting a large number of people all over the world, there is an urgent requirement for newer therapies/therapeutics with nutritional information for hospitalized and recovered patients of COVID-19. Hospitalized patients are highly at risk of malnutrition, weight loss, muscle loss, etc. Therefore, nutritional support is essential for COVID-19 patients. Based on the recent reports obtained from the COVID-19 resources; the present review describes the various clinical therapies, the involvement of nutritional support, the role of diet, the modified lifestyle, and micronutrients (zinc, selenium, and vitamin D) in the management of COVID-19 patients.

The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2)-related pandemic disease COVID-19, which began in China in 2019, became the leading cause of fatalities globally. The transmission rate of the virus is directly proportional to the so-called ‘dance dynamic’ energy of the spike protein as this phenomenon favours the ligand-receptor binding. The clinical spectrum of the COVID-19 disease, which includes (inflammation, cytokine storm, and multi-organ dysfunction), puts Corona Warriors active in various aspects of the disease, such as the efficient management of critically ill COVID-19 patients, in danger of losing their lives. Due to its effects on an ancient oxygen- independent glycolytic pathway, anti-inflammatory properties, and competitive interaction with viral proteins, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), which is being developed in India at the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has emerged as a ground-breaking agent for COVID-19 treatment. After a virus gains entry into host cells, it is found that metabolic reprogramming takes place to meet the nutritional and energy requirements for virus reproduction. The recent approval of 2-DG for adjunctive emergency usage by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) may mark a turning point in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection.

Health professionals have been confronted with a series of challenges because of the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To save the greatest number of lives possible, it is essential to make a prompt diagnosis and admission to the hospital, as well as to stratify risks, make efficient use of intensive care services, choose appropriate treatments, monitor patients, and ensure a prompt discharge. Laboratory markers, also known as biomarkers, can provide additional information that is objective and has the potential to significantly influence various aspects of patient care. Clinical assessment is necessary, but laboratory markers can provide this information. The COVID-19 virus is not an infection that causes the respiratory system; rather, it is a multisystem disease that is caused by a diffuse system-wide process that involves a complex interplay of the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems in inflammatory and coagulative cascades. A wide variety of potential biomarkers have been uncovered because of a better understanding of the virus's effects on the body and how the body responds to them. Here, the pathophysiology and current data are examined in relation to various kinds of biomarkers, such as immunological and inflammation biomarkers, coagulation and hematological biomarkers, as well as cardiac, biochemical, and other biomarkers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the research on the association between biomarkers and clinical characteristics, viral load, treatment efficacy, and how this knowledge might most usefully contribute to patient care.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV- 2, has been a global health crisis since its emergence in late 2019, impacting all aspects of life worldwide. It has revealed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems while also inspiring scientific advancements and cooperation in developing vaccines, highlighting the importance of preparedness and equitable healthcare for future challenges. Method: This paper evaluates the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. The study employed the Global Trade Analysis Project model using GTAP database version 10A with 2014 as the base year. The database's 141 regions and 65 sectors are aggregated into 20 regions and 29 sectors. The model used involves a baseline and two policy scenarios. The baseline scenario projected the global economy to 2020 from 2014 using macroeconomic variables, such as real GDP, population, capital stock, and labor supply. Policy scenarios 1 and 2 accounted for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and fiscal stimulus package, respectively. Result: The impacts of the pandemic are measured in real GDP, welfare, export and import volumes, trade balance, and output by sector. Simulation results indicate that the real GDP for all regions declined. The impact of COVID-19 on the welfare of countries, including Korea, Japan, the US, Mexico, China, Italy, and Great Britain, varied. In all these countries, the pandemic highlighted existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, affecting countries disproportionately. Government interventions, such as stimulus packages, income support programs, and vaccination campaigns, have aimed to mitigate the impact and support the welfare of the population. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains and increased trade costs, thereby negatively impacting both import and export volumes. The output of some sectors, such as tourism-related sectors, was heavily affected. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted real GDP, welfare, export and import volumes, trade balance, and output by sector. By examining the specific implications of the pandemic on each of these economic factors, policymakers and researchers can gain valuable insights into the challenges faced and potential avenues for recovery.