Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects of COVID-19; a Nar-rative Review

There are significant misconceptions and many obstacles in the way of illuminating the epidemiological andclinical aspects of COVID-19 as a new emerging epidemic. In addition, usefulness of some evidence publishedin the context of the recent epidemic for decision making in clinic as well as public health is questionable. How-ever, misinterpreting or ignoring strong evidence in clinical practice and public health probably results in lesseffective and somehow more harmful decisions for individuals as well as subgroups in general populations ofcountries in the initial stages of this epidemic. Accordingly, our narrative review appraised epidemiological andclinical aspects of the disease including genetic diversity of coronavirus genus, mode of transmission, incuba-tion period, infectivity, pathogenicity, virulence, immunogenicity, diagnosis, surveillance, clinical case manage-ment and also successful measures for preventing its spread in some communities.