Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The review article discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak is believed to have originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China, with person-to-person transmission leading to widespread infection. The virus primarily targets the respiratory system, with symptoms including fever, cough, and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and cardiac injury. The case fatality rate is around 2.2%. The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, and there is evidence of transmission via fecal and urine samples. The receptor-binding domain of the virus is similar to that of SARS-CoV, suggesting the use of the ACE2 receptor for entry into host cells. Phylogenetic analysis shows that COVID-19 is a new betacoronavirus, closely related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for COVID-19, and treatment options include broad-spectrum antivirals like remdesivir and chloroquine. Research is ongoing to develop new therapeutics and vaccines. The article emphasizes the need for further studies to understand the virus's transmission, pathogenesis, and potential for future outbreaks.Elsevier established a free COVID-19 resource center in January 2020, offering information in English and Mandarin. The center is hosted on Elsevier Connect, and the company grants permission for free access to its research in PubMed Central and other repositories. The review article discusses the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2. The outbreak is believed to have originated from a wet market in Wuhan, China, with person-to-person transmission leading to widespread infection. The virus primarily targets the respiratory system, with symptoms including fever, cough, and fatigue. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and cardiac injury. The case fatality rate is around 2.2%. The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets, and there is evidence of transmission via fecal and urine samples. The receptor-binding domain of the virus is similar to that of SARS-CoV, suggesting the use of the ACE2 receptor for entry into host cells. Phylogenetic analysis shows that COVID-19 is a new betacoronavirus, closely related to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for COVID-19, and treatment options include broad-spectrum antivirals like remdesivir and chloroquine. Research is ongoing to develop new therapeutics and vaccines. The article emphasizes the need for further studies to understand the virus's transmission, pathogenesis, and potential for future outbreaks.