Background

In this section, we provide background information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and we explain the importance of adopting blockchain technology in combating this crisis.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious, acute, respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Early COVID-19 cases were linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, where wild animals were traded, suggesting that the virus was primarily transmitted from animals to humans. Transmission is believed to occur through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, as with other respiratory pathogens. Virus discharged in respiratory secretions can infect other individuals via direct contact with mucous membranes. The virus can also persist on surfaces to varying durations and degrees of infectivity. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. As of 3 June 2020, more than 6.5 million infection cases have been reported across 190 countries and territories, resulting in more than 384,000 deaths . Fig. 1 summarizes some of the pandemic’s symptoms, preventive measures, mitigations efforts, and global impact in which each is explained below:
Symptoms. Individuals infected with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The symptoms and signs of COVID-19 include, but not limited to: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhoea. Some people may have only a few symptoms, while others may have no symptoms at all. Older adults and people who have serious underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease, diabetes, chronic kidney, or liver disease are at a higher risk of developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Complications can include pneumonia, organ failure, heart problems, unexplained blood clots, acute kidney injury, multiple organ failure, additional viral and bacterial infections leading to death .