The world was jolted out of slumber when people in massive numbers succumbed worldwide in a short span of time. These people had pneumonia like symptoms that was first reported in the Wuhan city, Hubei Province of China, in December 2019, highlighting an unknown viral disease¹. In initial findings, it was observed that the patients shared the common history of visiting the Huanan Sea-Food Whole Sale Market^1-2. Further, the patients were also identified with no exposure to the Huanan market, clearly highlighting the human to human transmission of the disease³. Later, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Chinese health authorities identified new coronavirus responsible for the outbreak of pneumonia like disease in Wuhan, China⁴.

The disease is officially named as Corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19). At present, the virus is referred as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus has been isolated and its genome was sequenced^5,6. COVID-19 has already been declared as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern⁷. At present more than 44 million confirmed cases were reported in 189 different countries with over 1.1 million fatalities globally as accessed from “Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU),” 2020⁸. For diagnosis, WHO has recommended the use of RT-PCR for suspected COVID-19 patients⁹. Till date, there is no vaccine or drug discovered for the treatment of COVID-19. However, several vaccines and drugs are under clinical trials^10,11.

Since such infection multiplies as a result of grouping of relating multiscale (local to global) and multispeed (rapid and slow) changes in human as well as in natural systems¹². Therefore, every country is working dynamically and aggressively to prevent the proliferation of this emerging infection of COVID-19 at local and global ways. Preventive measures such as rapid testing of suspects for infection and quarantine them and imposition of lockdown at the epicentres of infections.

Further, the global outbreak of COVID-19, will not only affect the health of the people, but will also affect the overall economy of the country in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to Richard Kozul-Wright, Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported in “The Economic Times” (PTI, 10 March, 2020) indicated that COVID-19 may wipe out approximately one trillion USD from the world economy¹³. According to “The Print” (Nair, 6 April, 2020), former Governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and economist Raghuram Govind Rajan has speculated that COVID-19 pandemic would plunge India into economic emergency¹⁴. As per the recorded data, the last few months had showed substantial infection growth in the total cases of COVID-19. With such surge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases worldwide, it is tough for any country to maintain their GDPs¹⁵. Therefore, the only solution to overcome this difficult situation is to devise comprehensive control plan comprising of both prevention and treatment in terms spread of infection.

Several researchers^16-22 have attempted to compile this pandemic of COVID-19. However, there are no systematic studies related to the effect of different measures taken by the developing countries and developed countries across the continents in tackling and containing this pandemic. The goal of this study is to provide useful and significant points analysed from this sudden emerging pandemic of COVID-19 for policy makers for future pandemic preclusion.

Characteristics features of SARS-Cov-2
Coronavirus is named as SARS-CoV-2 by International Committee of Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). It is identified to be a positive sense single stranded RNA virus (+ssRNA), the viral particle is enveloped with spike glycoproteins on the surface. The overall shape of the virus was observed to be round to oval, highlighting crown like appearance under electron microscope with diameter of 50- 200 nm⁴. The S1 and S2 subunits constitute to form spike glycoproteins, the viral S1 is used for interaction with host receptor, whereas S2 assist the fusion of cellular and viral membrane¹⁰. Although pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 is not fully understood, but as per Xu et al., (2020)¹⁶ SARS-CoV-2 S-protein supports strong interaction with human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Reports also indicated that spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds ACE2 with more than 10-fold increased efficacy than SARS-CoV, suggesting the rapid transmission of COVID-19¹⁷. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 was found to be 30 kb in length with 5’ cap and 3’ poly-A tail structure¹⁸. Zhang et al., (2020)¹⁹ observed that the Pangolin-CoV is 91.02% and 90.55% similar with SARS-CoV-2 and BatCov RaTG13, respectively, at whole genome level. As per study, the S1 protein of Pangolin-CoV is much closely related to SARS-CoV-2 than RaTG13, highlighting the closeness of Pangolin-CoV with SARS-CoV-2.

Further, based on sequence analysis, the SARS-CoV-2 is more distant to MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV with 50% and 79% similarity, respectively⁶, Moreover, 96% similarity of SARS-CoV-2 was observed with BatCoV RaTG13 at whole genome level²⁰. Based on these findings, the probability of bat as the original host of SARS-CoV-2 is suggested, although an intermediate host might also be present in the transmission process from bat to human⁴. It has also been suggested previously that SARS and MERS have been passed to civets and camels as an intermediate host before infecting humans²¹.

Comparison of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2
Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) became pandemic by the end of March 2020. In contrast to the 2002-2003 SARS-CoV outbreak, which had a higher pathogenicity and lead to higher mortality rates, SARSCoV-2 infection appears to be much more contagious. Moreover, many SARS-CoV-2 infected patients are reported to develop low titre neutralizing antibody and usually suffer prolonged illness, suggesting a more effective SARS-CoV-2 immune surveillance evasion than SARS-CoV. Development of low-titre neutralizing antibody was found in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients leading to prolonged illness which is in contrast to SARS-CoV. This suggests a more effective SARS-CoV-2 immune surveillance evasion than SARS-CoV. Receptor recognition is an important determinant of human corona virus infection and pathogenesis. The specific surface protein that provides the entry door in human cells for both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The first difference between the two SARS-CoVs is that SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) has a higher ACE2-binding affinity, a characteristic which could lead to a more efficient cell entry²². Even though SARS-CoV-2 has a less effective binding, it relies on the host protease activation. To summarise, both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 use human ACE2 as entry receptor and human proteases as entry activators.

Mechanism of transmission of COVID-19 and its clinical symptoms and manifestations
In a recent review, three important human to human transmission routes of SARS-CoV-2 was mentioned⁷. These are droplet transmission (spreads by cough and sneeze of infected person), direct contact (spreads by physical contact to the infected surface) and aerosol transmission (when droplet of infected person mixed with air and forms aerosol which by inhalation transmits the virus) as the main routes of virus spread. It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 can remain viable on variety of different surfaces (plastic, steel and wood) from hours to days and can enter the body through various routes, the main entry points for coronavirus is via nose, mouth and eyes. After entering the body, coronaviruses generally get attached itself to host cell receptors (S-mediated) and delivers its genetic material into cell, further it utilizes the host cell machinery to develop its own copies. The incubation period for the SARS-CoV-2 was estimated for upto 1- 14 days.

The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to any other flu symptoms i.e., sore throat, myalgia, headache and fever etc. Some other symptoms such as dry cough, breathlessness, and chemosensory dysfunction are also common in COVID-19, few patients have also presented conjunctivitis. General symptoms may subside by the end of week or so, with recovery of patient, however if disease progresses, pneumonia and complete respiratory failure may also occur which leads to death^20-22. It was also observed that patients in older age with prehistory of other complications like lung disease, diabetes, Parkinson, hypertension, heart disease etc, are more prone to enter the critical health conditions which might lead to death⁷.

Diagnosis of COVID-19 infection
Research confirm that the virus enters respiratory mucosa and after invasion, it infects cells leading to the production of heightened level of cytokines. The lab examination of COVID-19 positive patients showed higher plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL2, IL7, IL10, IL12, MCP1, GCSF, TNF-a and low levels of lymphocytes and W.B.C^23,24. Further, the chest CT-imaging highlighted multiple small patch shadows initially, which develops into ground glass opacities and infiltration in lungs at later stages⁴. The patients with large opacities normally require oxygen therapy and ventilation assistance^23-25. Recently AI-powdered automated imaging system has showed contactless scanning workflow which prevents the practitioners and technicians from viral exposure²⁷. As per the autopsy report of a patient died of COVID-19, the observation of alveolar damage with cellular fibromyxoid exudates was made²⁶.

The molecular tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 can be performed by taking respiratory samples (sputum, lower respiratory tract secretion, throat swab etc.) of patients. The Real time RT-PCR and gene sequencing can be performed for screening the suspected COVID-19 patient⁴, however RT-PCR is most commonly used for confirmation in comparison to gene sequencing. WHO also in its interim guidance⁹ suggested the use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), RT-PCR to testify the status (positive or negative) of suspected COVID-19 patients? Various diagnostic kits for COVID-19 detection have been developed and in use globally. U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised emergency use of Abbots diagnostic test for detection of SARS-CoV-2. The test gives positive result in just 5 minutes by picking the genetic signatures of SARS-CoV-2²⁸. India’s first testing kit for COVID-19 has been developed by a Pune based Indian firm named “My Lab .It has got approval to manufacture and sell their kits in different parts of the country²⁹. This test is about a quarter of the cost can be reduced by using indigenous kit which India pays to import the kit from abroad.

Further, in another finding, Li et al., (2020)³⁰ have developed a rapid IgG and IgM combined antibody test, highlighting efficient consistency for COVID-19. The antibody test is also important to identify the asymptomatic people who have encountered the virus before. Therefore, the true extend of COVID-19 outbreak can be ascertained using antibody test.

C-reactive protein levels in COVID19
It is significant that COVID-19 patients who progressed from non-severe to severe cases if they are found with elevated levels of C-reactive protein. Mild patients with an older age and underlying diseases were more likely to exacerbate. Elevated CRP level could be a valuable marker to predict the possibility of aggravation of non-severe COVID-19 patients, which could help health care workers to identify those patients at an early stage for early treatment. However, a large sample size and multicenter studies are needed in order to confirm these results. Based on a retrospective study, few patients CRP levels were collected, and the diameter of the largest lung lesion was measured in the most severe lung lesion by lung CT scan³¹. Differences in the diameter and CRP levels were compared among the groups of patients. They observed a correlation between CRP levels, lung lesion diameter, and disease severity. Both CRP levels and diameter of the largest lung lesion increased with disease progression. Pathological changes of COVID19 are lung and immune system damage. CT dynamic monitoring may be used to identify the characteristic imaging of lung changes. A 50% increase in lung X-ray findings within 24 to 48 hours was considered an early warning indicator of impending conversion to critical disease. The CT scan can sometimes predict the prognosis of patients. Study showed that CRP levels and the diameter of the largest lung lesion increased as the disease progressed. CRP levels were positively correlated with lung lesion and disease severity. This suggests that in the early stage of COVID-19, CRP levels could reflect lung lesions and disease severity. Several immune proteins that are associated with neutrophils were found at higher levels in the plasma of people who later became critically ill than in those whose illness did not become severe. A subsequent analysis of health records from about 3,300 people showed that high neutrophil counts were associated with increased COVID-19 mortality. Autopsies have found the virus in organs other than the lungs, including the kidneys, liver, heart and brain, as well as in the blood³². We now know that symptoms of COVID-19 can include gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, cardiovascular and other complications³³.

Covid-19 Immunity
How long does immunity last?
Presently, there is no validated immune correlation of protection for SARS-CoV-2, ie, antibody level or another immunological marker associated with protection from infection or disease. However, in a study that included 82 confirmed and 58 probable cases of COVID-19 from China, the median duration of IgM detection was 5 days (interquartile range, 3-6), while IgG was detected at a median of 14 days (interquartile range, 10-18) after symptom onset³². Since the outbreak is only a few months old, there are no data on long-term immune response. Data from SARS-CoV-1 indicate that titres of IgG and neutralizing antibodies peaked at 4 months after infection, with a subsequent decline though at least 3 years after infection.

Reinfections in COVID
Virologists suggest, that the severity of COVID varies enormously from person to person, and might vary from infection to infection in the same person. Variables such as the initial dose of virus, possible differences between variants of SARS-CoV-2 and changes in a person’s overall health could all affect the severity of a reinfection. Clarifying whether ‘immunological memory’ affects symptoms during a second infection is crucial, particularly for vaccine development. If symptoms are generally reduced the second time, which suggests the immune system is responding as it should. But if symptoms are consistently worse during a second bout of COVID, the immune system might be making things worse, for example, some cases are worsened by rogue immune responses that damage healthy tissue. People who have experienced this during a first infection might have immune cells that are primed to respond in a disproportionate way again the second time. In contrast the antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 help, rather than fight, the virus during a second infection. This phenomenon, called antibody-dependent enhancement, is rare but researchers found worrying signs of it while trying to develop vaccines against related coronaviruses, responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome³⁴.

Reinfection and Vaccine Development
Traditionally, the vaccines that have been at ease to make are against diseases in which primary infection leads to lasting immunity like measles and rubella. This does not mean that a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 can’t be effective, some vaccines, require ‘booster’ shots to maintain immunity levels. However, the possibility that vaccines will only reduce symptoms during a second infection, rather than prevent that infection altogether. This could effectively turn vaccinated people into asymptomatic carriers, putting vulnerable populations at risk. For this reason, data has to be screened with more diligence on how much virus people ‘shed’ when reinfected with SARS-CoV-2 ³⁵.

Remedies for COVID-19
After positive diagnosis, before starting any therapy, isolation of the patient is very necessary to prevent the transmission of disease. Further, by providing adequate hydration and nutrition, the health status of the patient can be sustained. As the specific treatment regimen (antiviral therapy) is underway. As per the global perspective, vaccines are considered to be the best approach to control the spread of this disease. The draft of WHO (“DRAFT landscape of COVID-19 candidate vaccines,” 19^th October, 2020) highlighted that 44 candidate vaccine types are under clinical evaluation i.e., Inactivated (Sinovac), ChAdOx1-s (University of oxford/Astrazeneca), Adenovirus type 5 vector (Cansino Biologicals Inc. & Beijing Institute of Biotechnology) and LNP-encapsulated mRNA (Modern/NIAID), Inactivated (Bharat Biotech), DNA Plasmid vaccine (Cadila Healthcare Ltd.), and many more are under clinical evaluation, whereas 154 other candidate vaccines are under preclinical evaluation stage³⁶.

Two major strategies are adopted scientists i.e., repurposing of existing drug and discovery of new molecule. Many drugs have been proposed in research findings, suggesting effectiveness i.e., lopinavir + ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, Tocilizumab, Nucleoside analogues, Remdesivir, Immunomodulators (dexamethasone), 3CL proinhibitor, PLP inhibitors and Teicoplanin, a glycopeptide antibiotic. Further, several clinical trials are also studying the potential of anti-inflammatory therapeutic protein (IL-6R, IL-1R, TNF-a, IFN- γ)^36,37.

As per report, convalescent plasma showed striking improvement in severely ill patients, the viral load decreases and within 3 days, the improvement in cough, chest pain and shortness of breath was observed. In another study, researchers highlighted the treatment of two COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma infusion and observed favourable outcome in addition to systemic corticosteroid³⁸.

Further, as per the agents which can block the binding of viral S-protein with ACE2 can also be developed in near future for effective treatment of COVID-19³⁹. Researchers are also working on a novel approach which involve the use of recombinant human soluble ACE2 which competes with endogenous ACE2 protein and neutralize SARS-CoV-2 upon binding^37,40. However, more concrete research and clinical trials are necessary to confirm the effectiveness and safety of drugs and vaccines for COVID-19 treatment.

Techniques for early viral infection diagnosis and rapid drug designing using state of art tools and technology
The best cure for viral disease is the prevention of onset of infection, thus diagnosing the infection is of prime importance. State of art technologies such as Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology, rapid, sensitive and specific diagnostic tools have been developed by leading companies (Sherlock Biosciences and Mammoth Biosciences) in the domain of CRISPR based diagnostics⁴¹. The method is based on the different CRISPR-associated (Cas) enzymes that are programmed by CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) or single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs). These enzymes can target all types of nucleic acids from wide spectrum of targets such as virus, bacteria, microRNAs etc.⁴². This inexpensive and rapid assay uses Cas12 effector and targets single-stranded RNAs and DNAs that are amplified by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). This assay has a detection limit of 10 copies per μL for the detecting diverse regions of SARS-CoV-2 viral genome (E gene and N gene) by fluorescence in 40 minutes from the swab samples of the patients⁴³.

Another approach utilizing a nanomaterial-based sensor which is arrayed with multiplexed abilities to detect SARS-CoV-2 from the exhaled breath of the patient. The sensors comprise of different gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and are linked to the organic ligands which creates varied sensing layer that shrinks or swells on exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the virus and its surrounding microenvironment that leads to the variations in the electric resistance. The main advantage of this technique is that there is no requirement of swab sample collection from the patient which is followed by its analysis in the laboratory which is time consuming⁴⁴.

Further utilizing tools such as artificial intelligence, novel drugs have been designed to check the virus. A South Korean based company Deargen, utilizing deep learning model identified key compounds that can combat the corona virus. They designed and modelled the potential drug candidate and came up with atazanavir, the medication used for HIV that can impair the proteins on the SARS-CoV-2⁴⁵. These machine learning tools can study the protein structures and determine its effects on corona virus. In this way, unsuccessful attempts in drug discovery are eliminated. Further, Google has launched DeepMind that has scope for protein structure predictions that are related to corona virus and are open sourced. Pharmacologists can utilize this data for vaccine development⁴⁶.

Actions taken worldwide for curtailing COVID-19
The spread of the outbreak of the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 in China which was the epicentre of COVID-19, was studied and it was attributed to the droplet transmission. The chain of transmission was studied from 10 people belonging to 3 families who had dined together at an air-conditioned restaurant on 24 January, 2020 in the city of Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, China. Out of these families, one family, with the index patient who had travelled from the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province, China on 23 January, 2020 where the first case of Covid-19 was reported. The following day, from the index patient, the viral infection was transmitted to other members of his family who had symptomatic onset of cough and fever. Consequently, by 5 February, 2020, 9 members from those 3 families fell ill with COVID-19. 10 other people who had dined at the restaurant were also infected. Thus, this spread of infection was traced from this air-conditioned restaurant in Guangzhou. The infection then spread and advanced to different places across cities and countries⁴⁷.

The researchers further highlighted that the spread of infection was rapid droplet transmission due to the strong air flow from the air conditioner at the restaurant. Large respiratory droplets that are greater than 5 µm are present in the air for a short time and can travel only short distances that are less than 1 metre^48,49. Droplets smaller than 5 µm persists in the air and travel distances longer than 1 metre⁵⁰. It is thus imperative to highlight the potential measures to be taken at individual level and community level for future pandemic prevention when the vaccine for an infection such as COVID-19 is not available or vaccine development is at its nascent stage⁵¹.

Non pharmaceutical interventions to contain the spread the infection
Extensive screening, testing, quarantine and isolation for suspected and infected people
The Government initiatives involved identification and isolation of patients who had symptoms of infection such as high fever and persistent coughing and have tested positive for viral infection. Strict tracing of contact of the affected patients followed by extensive quarantine. The difference between quarantine and isolation is that quarantine is meant for healthy people who may have been to an affected overseas country or have come in close contact with one who has tested positive for the infection. The goal of quarantine is to restrict the person’s movement and look for any flu like symptoms while still living with his/her family or roommates. Whereas isolation is applied to those who are showing symptoms or have tested positive for this infection. The aim of isolation is to stop the affected person from further infecting others before his/her recovery⁵².

Massive scale of testing by rapid test kits for COVID-19 infection has proved to contain this infection. It is important know how that some countries like South Korea had maximum number of infected cases after China in early January 2020 and the most popular South East Asian destination Singapore could contain the COVID-19 virus spread by using aggressive preventive method of testing⁵³. In Asian countries like South Korea, total lockdown was not imposed. But the South Korean government was swift in early and rapid testing for COVID-19 cases and promptly isolating these patients. The country kept their health workers safe by minimalizing contact. The countries disease control authority approved the test kit during the initial stage of the disease, thus managing to keep this disease at bay. Similar aggressive testing for positive cases was done by the country of Singapore⁵⁴.

In case of the European countries such as in Germany, there were relatively low fatalities rates when compared to other European countries such as Italy and Spain^55,56. The reason being Germany adopted early and consistent testing; massive tracking of people afflicted with this virus and their contacts and quarantined them. Germany was quick to report its first case in Bavaria region²⁶ and also track its contacts and quarantine them. The countries imposed the fourteen days quarantine period as recommended by WHO for people having visited the affected countries or having any overseas visit on the arrival at the airports.

This mandatory critical period of quarantine needs to be followed, as it would regress infection symptoms so that 95% of the cases could be isolated. This step would aid in designing intervention strategies to curb the infection as the incubation period depends on the generations of the transmission. The infected cases imported from Wuhan were the first generation. Second generation transmission included infection from non-Wuhan imported as well as from generation one. Third generation infected included infection from second generation. While fourth generation infection included from third generation. Since the incubation time of different transmission generation were not significantly different, hypothesizing that the virus does not quickly adapt to humans⁵⁷. The viral load in COVID-19 cases are higher in early days of infection. Viral shedding-a process where once a virus has infected a person, its progeny starts leaving the host. Some of these are released into the environment that can infect others. Viral shedding of patients with COVID-19 confirmed patients intensified before or on symptom onset⁵⁸. Researchers explained that “virus shedding non-infective patient” implied that viral loads were higher in nasal cavity in early phase of infection when compared to the throat⁵⁹. However, the researcher elaborated that patients could be infectious for as long as symptoms lasted or even till clinical recovery.

Lockdown of the epicentre of infection region
The government’s efforts in the containment of a viral outbreak from its outset was done right from stage one onwards by the approach of lockdown. The government-imposed lockdown of public places and central hubs during the detection of index patient and during the early stage of infection to check and to control the exponential spread and infection of virus. Lockdown is a situation where as a security measure, isolation or restriction on accessibility to public places is imposed⁶⁰.

In the country of China where this viral infection originated and spiralled and had massive initial infected cases, the Governmental measures like stringent lockdown policy that included restricting movement from and to Wuhan and other cities in the Hubei province⁶¹. All roads were blocked followed by trains and flights being suspended. This was followed by the people being restricted in their homes and allowed to venture only for emergency purposes. Here, social distancing and lockdown proved to extensively contain the infection. Few researchers reported that during the lockdown period starting from 23 January, 2020 in the Wuhan and Hubei province could reduce the infection cases to 98.9%, and the number of deaths could be decreased by up to 99.3% till 23 February, 2020. This lockdown was carried out in phases throughout China and was instrumental in slowing and bringing down the confirmed cases of infections per day. Thus, it is learnt that within the eruption of few cases of infection, and after the screening and testing, lockdown should be imposed by the government phase wise. First the epicentre, followed by the whole province and then the entire country⁶⁰.

In the country of Italy, which was among the severely affected region having significant number of deaths in a short span in early March, 2020. The lockdown was imposed relatively late and was forced in the country on 9 March, 2020. The restriction on travel from Wuhan to Italy was delayed. The international flights from Italy to Wuhan directly were banned however the indirect flights were not banned. Also, there was delay in the sealing of its borders. This resulted in the widespread and exponential increase in infection in the region of Italy by asymptomatically infected people that overwhelmed, overstretched and crippled the healthcare system⁶².

It is thus pertinent to note that the timely imposition of lockdown and social distancing by the Government is of prime importance. The aggressive lockdown action of the Chinese government helped in limiting the number of cases in China which is a developing country with the largest population in the world. Whereas, the delay in lockdown in the affected regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna of the developed country like Italy lead to the COVID-19 virus overpowering the population of these regions and created a catastrophe. Thus, making this country having the maximum mortality rate till 01 April, 2020. Likewise, repercussions of delayed lockdown echoed in the countries of Spain, France and United Kingdom in Europe and in United States of America in North America⁵⁴. While in Asia, Iran seemed to have the worst casualties from this infection⁶³.

In the southern hemisphere, in countries like New Zealand, early closure of air travels brought down the disease under control and stringent implementation of lockdown nationwide successfully overcame COVID-19 by following elimination based strategy rather than mitigation based strategy⁶⁴. Whereas this infection in Sao Paulo, the most densely populated city of Brazil, in the Latin American in February, 2020 spread like wildfire after its first detection after its importation from Italy resulting in having the maximum number of cases after USA⁶⁵.

In USA, which is the worst affected country in the world, to gain control over the epidemic transmission of this virus non pharmaceutical measures were tried out. Social distancing, nationwide school closures and cancellation of public gatherings were implemented, which were associated with a 30% reduction in the transmission rate. However, it increased after the mandatory school suspension resumed and before summer vacation started. Given the uncertainties surrounding the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, efforts to sustain online learning and remote working in combination with enhanced infection control measures in health-care settings and nursing homes could aid in mitigating the spread of the virus. As respiratory viruses, including other coronaviruses, are known to respond to seasonal variation, there is a plausibility that increasing temperatures in the summer can reduce the intrinsic transmissibility of the novel coronavirus to some extent. In the context of a novel virus, warmer weather alone is unlikely to sufficiently mitigate the transmission rate and interrupt community transmission in the absence of social distancing strategies⁶⁶.

By 17 March, 2020 the outbreak had expanded from several isolated clusters in Washington, New York, and California to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As the COVID-19 outbreak expanded in the US, overall understanding of this disease increased. However, more evidence is needed, particularly for public health and clinical interventions to successfully prevent and treat infections. On analysis of multiple hospitalized patients, it was found that increased circulating levels of neutrophil activators (G-CSF, IL-8) and neutrophil effectors (RETN, LCN2, HGF, and MMP8) were the hallmarks of critical illness in COVID-19 and that they identified high risk patients upon initial admission to the hospital, prior to the onset of critical illness. One of the largest cohorts of COVID-19 patients till date is that early rises in immature granulocyte and neutrophil counts were associated with increased mortality. These findings represent key advances toward understanding the mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis, developing more accurate prognostic indicators, and most importantly, guiding the next generation of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19³⁵.

Lockdown is a delaying tactic to flatten the curve of infection⁵². However, the flipside of lockdown is that it is not a permanent solution, but only to deaccelerate the spread of infection. A three-week lockdown may be inadequate to prevent resurgence⁶⁷. So, lockdown in phases with periodic relaxation can be suggested to eliminate the risk of resurface of the infection⁶⁸.

Disseminating information regarding the pandemic
The vital role of WHO is immense in dissemination of the scientific and technical information regarding the pandemic to the public. Further coordinating, networking and holding consultation meetings with the member countries. Also as having meaningful collaboration with various laboratories, national health agencies and various non-governmental for containing the disease⁶⁹.

Public hygiene and sanitization
Here effective public awareness should be created by distancing oneself in crowd. Usage of standard and recommended masks, N95 that have filtration efficiency of 95% and maintaining individual sanitization protocols and personal hygiene such as cleaning hands with soaps, hand creams and hand sanitizers ^70,71.

Avoiding to touch one’s face with hands and covering one’s mouth while sneezing and coughing⁷². If required, there are effective masks such as respiratory face masks coated with copper oxide that has antiviral properties⁷³. Scientists numerated how the Japanese have been able to curtail this disease because of the good hygiene practices of the people. The people in general are always wearing masks at public places⁷⁴.

Besides personal hygiene, infection by contaminated fomites or surfaces also plays a role. Fomites comprises of both non-porous and porous objects or surfaces that can be contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms and thus transmitters of infection. During infection, viruses spread through different body secretions such as saliva, blood, urine etc. These secretions contaminate the fomites as well as directly by infected hands or by droplets generated by coughing or sneezing. Once the virus is transferred, there is contact between animate and non-animate surfaces. This virus remains viable on these surfaces for different durations. Thus, these fomites must be disinfected on regular basis⁷⁵.

Epidemic/Pandemic modelling of impact and infection spread
Here the interactive tools are prepared to model pandemics and utilize decision measures to assess their impacts^76-78. These can be based on air and road traffic with other regions. Citizen health and age profile to predict potential clusters or hotspots of infection for better management of infection spread.

Digital and technological tracking system of infection
Usage of the latest tools and technologies like the data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in combating the viral spread⁷⁹. This includes mobile phone-based survey in the populations⁸⁰, geographical tracking and mapping of COVID-19. Also, video surveillance, drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for virus infected people in crowded places can be employed⁸¹. This could be coupled with face recognition and image processing³⁹. Such approach would alert people who were previously quarantined. It could be taken up location wise, like people who were quarantined if they go in the vicinity of the people who are non-quarantined, would get a signal. And such people would be advised to visit the doctor.

Further for the safeguard of the doctors in hospitals during pandemic crisis where doctors are exposed to infected patients, with the help of artificial intelligence, thermal sensors could be used that accomplish contact based medical procedures such as measuring body temperature etc.⁸².

Indian Scenario to fight against COVID-19 (a case study)
India, the largest democracy with enormous population is said to be one of the most vulnerable countries; given its high population density, overburdened public health care infrastructure and high prevalence of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

The precedence of the spread of the disease in China and some European countries like Italy, Spain and US gave India an opportunity to learn from the impact of the strategies adopted by these countries for combating COVID-19. Even though, the first person to report positive for COVID-19 was on January 30, 2020 followed by two more being reported a couple of days later, it was only a month later that more number of cases of Corona positive patients started getting reported.

India’s strategy is summarized in following stages

Stage I:
Travel Restrictions, Screening and Quarantine
During January 2020, the onslaught of the COVID-19 epidemic was limited to China, therefore the first travel restrictions were first imposed for travel to China on January 17, 2020 and later on for other COVID-19 affected countries. Intensive point of entry screening was carried out at all international airports, sea-ports and inland borders for early detection and control of the spread of COVID-19 infection. All travellers from the affected countries were quarantined. A very innovative move adopted by the government of India was to stamp the back of the hands of potential COVID-19 carriers with the words ‘home-quarantined’, for compulsive compliance with the advisory. Indelible ink that washes off by two weeks; which matches the quarantine time period, was used for stamping.

Awareness
Awareness in the masses for the symptoms of COVID-19, its mode of spread and prevention was very crucial for its control. The government of India made a very important and unique move by exploiting the large number of mobile users in India; ∼ 1.2 billion subscribers for a population of 1.3 billion as per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India⁸³ all wireless carriers inserted a pre-recorded corona health advisory as a caller tune. This led to increased compliance with the measures to be taken against the spread of the virus.

Stage II:
Lock down
As the COVID-19 positive cases were showing an upswing, exercising social distancing became more important to break the chain of spread. On March 22, 2020, the Indian Prime Minister imposed a one day ‘Janata Curfew’, with a greater stress on social distancing. In market places and banks, chalk circles were drawn about 1 meter apart for implementation of social distancing, while shopping for essentials. The total lockdown for 21 days which started from March 24 mid night was imposed as per the lessons learned from other affected countries. The phase 1 of lockdown was followed by phase 2, 3 and 4. Although the lockdown had serious economic implications; a definite loss in GDP, but it was a justified price to pay for the prevention of spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Relief measures for the poor during lock down
A relief package of Rs.1.7 lakh crore was announced by the Indian finance minister for helping the people during the coronavirus pandemic through cash transfers and food security under the scheme ‘Pradhan mantri Gareeb Kalyan Yojna’.

All medical, paramedical staff and workers engaged in essential services like sanitation have been given substantial medical insurance by the Indian government.

Augmenting the testing, isolation and treatment capacity
The lockdown had definitely slow down the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, India is augmenting its testing facility by purchase of additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), COVID-19 test kits and gave permission to some private and national laboratories to test for COVID-19. Several automakers like Maruti, Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata motors and Hyundai have been designated the task of developing additional ventilators. Multipatient ventilators are being developed by DRDO (India) in collaboration with Mahindra and Mahindra. Further, as per recent news (PTI, 29 March, 2020b), DRDO has also developed 5 layered N99 mask with 2 layers of Nano mesh, and complete body suit for medical and paramedical staff to stop the contamination through coronavirus⁸⁴.

India has one of the lowest numbers of doctors (0.8) and hospital beds (0.7) per 1000 people in the world as per The World Bank⁸⁵, already facing impending crisis, but still, India is augmenting its capacity by reserving beds in private hospitals, railway hospitals and Army hospitals for corona positive patients. About thousands non-ac coaches of Indian railways are being prepared as isolation wards. Further, a COVID-19 tracking app ‘ Aarogya setu’ has been made mandatory for all government and private sector employees for enhanced tracking and thereby control of spread of COVID 19.

Coronavirus pandemic and India
A recent research suggested that due to the specific genetic makeup, Indians are less susceptible to COVID-19 due to the presence of a particular RNA protein. Recently, it was highlighted that BCG vaccination provides protection against coronavirus, therefore a decreased morbidity and mortality of affected patients is reported in India⁸⁶. In India BCG is administered by default to all the children born in India as a part of National Policy.

In a study by Indian Council of Medical Research⁸⁷, projections of coronavirus spread were made based on mathematical modelling, it was observed that the quarantine of symptomatic patients may lower the spread of the coronavirus pandemic by 62% and the peak number of cases by 89%. The lockdown may impact the spread in a similar fashion. Further, the actual impact of the measures of Indian government can only be verified after pandemic subsides.

Global economic analysis during COVID-19 outbreak
As per the research by RaboResearch, experts predicted the GDP (Gross domestic product) growth to be 1.6% and 3.2% in year 2020 and 2021, respectively⁸⁸. However, due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, the researcher readjusted the world economic growth and decreases the same by 0.7%. Fig. 1 illustrates the predicted economic growth of world and different countries by experts, before and after the COVID-19 outbreak.

Moreover, international labour organization predicted that COVID-19 can take upto 25 million jobs worldwide. If we talk in terms of money, the COVID-19 can cost around 1 to 2 trillion US dollar to the world economy. From literature survey it was very much evident that prediction of highly pathogenic coronavirus outbreak was made in January 2019 by a group of researchers from China⁸¹. The outbreak can cause serious damage to the world economy as per the prediction by multiple financial experts. Experts anticipated that, the global economic impact of COVID-19 will be greater than the SARS epidemic in year 2002-2003, which was also started in China. During 2002-2003, China holds around 9% of the global, the scenario is very different at present where China holds around 20% of the global economy⁸⁸. At the end of year 2019, researchers predicted the growth of China to be 5.7%, however due to the COVID-19 outbreak the economic growth of China is readjusted to 2.4%. China plays important role in the global economy and provide multiple industrial goods, food products and agri-produced to countries like India, Italy, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand and Germany etc. The economic growth of many countries is directly dependent on the China. Moreover, with the increased demand of export goods and the source of tourism, China is more interlinked to the various countries as compared to last decade or so. Multiple countries like Italy, India, UK, US, France, etc. announce partial or full lockdown to stop the spreading of COVID-19 at major level as illustrate in Fig. 2. However, this kind of lockdown will cause huge lose to the economic growth of the country.

India announced 40 days lockdown to stop the spreading of COVID-19, however this kind of lockdown may cost around 120 billion USD to Indian economy. As per the survey by REF Racche, COVID-19 can bring down the GDP of Italy by 3% and 5% in quarter one and two of 2020, respectively^89,90. The National Statistical Office (NSO) expected the negative gross domestic growth (GDP) by 23.9% for Q1FY21. The various factors which will influence the overall economy of the country due to COVID-19 pandemic are as follows

Hours worked
The lockdown decision by multiple countries will reduce the number of working hour per person. People in the lockdown situation will have limited access to the work.

Private consumption
The outbreak of COVID-19 will have the negative impact on the consumer and their demand. They might cancel or postpone their order due to limited needs.

Trade
The trades will be in limited amount between COVID-19 infected countries due to the safety concerns as imported items may act as the source of COVID-19. Moreover, trades will become restricted due to safety concerns and new safety norms will be needed.

Government policy
To ease the pain caused by COVID-19, government will make new supportive policies to stabilize the economy of the country. For example, Indian government announced the package of 1.7 lakh crore to ease the economic need of people according to “The Economic Times” (ET, 27 March, 2020)⁹¹.

Productivity
Industrial units experiencing finance difficulties due to low working hour and low consumers demand may reduce the overall production. To overcome their financial loses industries may cut down their budget in each sector and will lower down their man power, hence causing unemployment.

Trend of COVID-19 prevalence in different countries (January-October2020)
Epidemic emergence of SARS-CoV2 virus has threatened the existence of the mankind within short time span of 10 months (Fig. 3). After the first case of SARS-CoV-2 reported in China, the spread of Covid-19 was increased globally and over 49,000,000 patients were tested positive. With such increase in numbers, it is very crucial for major economies to keep the track of development and growth rate. In mid-February the very first epicentre ‘China’ managed to control the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 virus, keeping stagnant growth of new cases with its stringent precautionary measures and treatments methods⁹². But meanwhile, SARS-CoV-2 outburst in major European countries affected majorly Italy, Spain and Germany. The Italy became next epicentre of SARS-CoV-2 after China, majorly spreading in north Italy. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 was found on 28^th January, 2020 in Italy and just within short span, it crossed the counts of positive cases for up to 824,879. Similarly, the number of SARS-CoV2 positive cases has crossed 1,365,895 and 619,116 in Spain and Germany. While USA, unexpectedly has emerged as new epicenter by reaching record SARS-CoV-2 positive number of 9,919,522. As of today, the scenario has changed completely. European countries like Germany, Italy, and Spain have managed the spread of COVID-19. While, India is setting up to be next epicentre with 8,411,034 positive cases. Recently the government of different countries has opened research grants for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and many scientist, molecular biologist, biochemist, data scientist and allied field centers are collaborating for its effective control.⁹⁰