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 .