Unraveling COVID-19: A Global Health Crisis and Ongoing Research: COVID-19: A Global Health Crisis

Osama Alam; Muhammad  Ahmad; Munib  Qureshi; Marina  Gul; Naveed  Khan; Abdul  Samad; Zewran  Khan; Syed  Atiq; Arsalan  Iqbal; Asim  Ullah

doi:10.54393/fbt.v3i02.47

Authors

Osama Alam Department of Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Muhammad Ahmad Department of Zoology, Quaid-E- Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Munib Qureshi Department of Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Marina Gul Department of Botany, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Naveed Khan Department of Zoology, Govt. Post Graduate College, Bannu, Pakistan
Abdul Samad Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
Zewran Khan Department of Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Syed Atiq Department of Chemistry, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Arsalan Iqbal Department of Biotechnology, University of Science & Technology, Bannu, Pakistan
Asim Ullah Department of Zoology, Govt. Post Graduate College, Bannu, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/fbt.v3i02.47

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has triggered an unparalleled global health crisis with far-reaching consequences. SARS-CoV-2 primarily spreads through respiratory droplets, utilizing angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the respiratory system for cellular entry and replication, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures. The emergence of worrisome mutations has led to the development of more transmissible variants, heightening the virus's potential impact. Diagnostic testing, including reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), antigen detection, and serology, plays a pivotal role in identifying. COVID-19 diagnostic tests include the ABBOTT ID NOW™ COVID-19 test (95% sensitivity and 100% specificity), the COBAS® SARS-CoV-2 test (98.8% sensitivity and 99% specificity), the SOFIA® 2 SARS ANTIGEN FIA test (91.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity), the XPERT® XPRESS SARS-CoV-2 test (95.4% sensitivity and 97% specificity), and the ACCULA SARS-CoV-2 test (98% sensitivity and 100% specificity). While vaccines include the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (95% efficacy), Moderna vaccine (94.10% efficacy), Johnson & Johnson vaccine (66% efficacy), Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine (76% efficacy), Sinovac vaccine (50.38% efficacy), Sinopharm vaccine (79% efficacy), Bharat Biotech (Covaxin) vaccine (81% efficacy), Sputnik V vaccine (91.60% efficacy), Novavax vaccine (96.4% efficacy), and Covovax vaccine (100% efficacy). The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the ongoing necessity for global cooperation among scientific and medical communities to understand this emerging pathogen, mitigate health impacts, and advance long-term solutions through continuous therapeutic and vaccine research.

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