Keywords: COVID-19

Abstract: The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China beginning in December 2019. This epidemic had spread to 200 countries/territories with 2,471,930 confirmed cases, including 170,129 deaths, as of April 21, 2020. The World Health Organization declared it as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This study analyzed and discussed the epidemiology, transmission, symptoms, treatment and prevention of knowledge surrounding COVID-19 based on the current published evidence for a better understanding of the control of this virus. The reported symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, pneumonia, headache, diarrhoea, haemoptysis, and dyspnea. Preventive measures such as masks, hand hygiene practices, avoidance of public contact, case detection, contact tracing, and quarantines are being recommended for reducing the transmission. To date, no specific antiviral treatment is proven effective; hence, infected people primarily rely on symptomatic treatment and supportive care. This review in the hope of helping the public effectively recognize and deal with the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and providing a reference for future studies.