The article provides an overview of the COVID-19 outbreak, which began in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread globally to at least 25 countries. The disease, officially named Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a zoonotic infection with a low to moderate mortality rate (estimated 2%–5%). Person-to-person transmission occurs through droplet or contact, and the lack of stringent infection control measures can jeopardize healthcare workers. There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, but several drugs are under investigation. The virus is an enveloped, positive single-strand RNA virus belonging to the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily, with characteristic "crown-like" spikes. The exact origin and natural reservoir of the virus remain unclear, but bats are considered the likely natural host. The clinical manifestations include fever, dry cough, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, with a mean incubation period of 5.2 days. Diagnosis involves tracing travel and exposure history, and laboratory tests such as real-time RT-PCR are used. Treatment focuses on symptomatic and supportive care, and experimental treatments like remdesivir and convalescent plasma therapy are being explored. Prevention strategies include avoiding travel to affected areas, self-surveillance for symptoms, and strict infection control measures in healthcare settings.The article provides an overview of the COVID-19 outbreak, which began in late December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread globally to at least 25 countries. The disease, officially named Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), is a zoonotic infection with a low to moderate mortality rate (estimated 2%–5%). Person-to-person transmission occurs through droplet or contact, and the lack of stringent infection control measures can jeopardize healthcare workers. There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, but several drugs are under investigation. The virus is an enveloped, positive single-strand RNA virus belonging to the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily, with characteristic "crown-like" spikes. The exact origin and natural reservoir of the virus remain unclear, but bats are considered the likely natural host. The clinical manifestations include fever, dry cough, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms, with a mean incubation period of 5.2 days. Diagnosis involves tracing travel and exposure history, and laboratory tests such as real-time RT-PCR are used. Treatment focuses on symptomatic and supportive care, and experimental treatments like remdesivir and convalescent plasma therapy are being explored. Prevention strategies include avoiding travel to affected areas, self-surveillance for symptoms, and strict infection control measures in healthcare settings.