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Virus pandemics have happened, are happening and will happen again. In recent decades, the rate of zoonotic viral spillover into humans has accelerated, mirroring the expansion of our global footprint and travel network, including the expansion of viral vectors and the destruction of natural spaces, bringing humans closer to wild animals. Once viral cross-species transmission to humans occurs, transmission cannot be stopped by cement walls but by developing barriers based on knowledge that can prevent or reduce the effects of any pandemic. Controlling a local transmission affecting few individuals is more efficient that confronting a community outbreak in which infections cannot be traced. Genetic detection, identification, and characterization of infectious agents using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been proven to be a powerful tool allowing for the development of fast PCR-based molecular assays, the rapid development of vaccines based on mRNA and DNA, the identification of outbreaks, transmission dynamics and spill-over events, the detection of new variants and treatment of vaccine resistance mutations, the development of direct-acting antiviral drugs, the discovery of relevant minority variants to improve knowledge of the viral life cycle, strengths and weaknesses, the potential for becoming dominant to take appropriate preventive measures, and the discovery of new routes of viral transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease represented with multiple non specific symptoms and caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Despite its dissemination and worsening trends researchers are still searching for the best treatment option. Timely diagnosis is the key to get more appropriate treatment regimen. Several clinical trials are ongoing to determine the efficacy and safety of existing and new therapies against Coronavirus Disease -2019 (COVID-19). These include corticosteroids, antivirals, monoclonal antibodies, interferon Alpha 2b and other immune modulators. In addition to treatment, efficacious and safe vaccines are required to slow viral transmission and to prevent further morbidity and mortality. The vaccination is useful tool to get control over the virus. Although, mass immunisation campaigns are ongoing in many countries, global coverage is crucial for getting the pandemic under control. This descriptive review collated the information on current diagnostics tools for determination of COVID-19 infection and available preventive and therapeutic strategies based on the ongoing clinical trials data and published literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]