The COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive biomedical review of its impact on healthcare, employment, and academic sectors

Review article | https://doi.org/10.47262/BL/12.1.20230220

Muhammad Fardeen Khan*, Kinza Waheed, Malaika Mehtab, Muhammad Ahsan Raza

Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Abstract

The coronavirus outbreak emerged as a severe pandemic and caused a global emergency. It resulted in the death of more than one million people worldwide. Coronavirus was first reported in 2019 at the seafood market in Wuhan, China. Coronavirus belongs to the family Coronaviridae and the subfamily of Coronavirinae. It is a single-stranded RNA, non-segmented, and enveloped virus. Its genome is the largest among the RNA viruses. The RT-PCR technique is used for the diagnosis of COVID-19, while bronchoscopy was also used initially; however, patient and medical staff were at high risk because both are vulnerable to the disease. Initially, there was no specific treatment for COVID-19, and the patients were managed based on their symptoms. Maintaining proper physical distance and using face masks were the initial prevention measures adopted to control the spread of the coronavirus. COVID-19 also had severe effects on the health sector. It has not only affected patients but also significantly impacted healthcare workers and staff. Patients became vulnerable to conditions such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Healthcare workers faced physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. The workload on healthcare workers increased due to the rising number of patients, which reduced work efficiency and increased stress and anxiety levels. The suicide rate also increased from 1% to 145% worldwide. Initially, hospitals were not prepared for such a pandemic outbreak and faced multiple challenges, including shortage of testing kits, ventilators, hospital beds, and intensive care units. The COVID-19 outbreak also affected the education system, with over 1.7 billion students being disturbed. Schools were completely shut down, and higher education institutions such as colleges and universities shifted to a hybrid model, including online education. Overall, lifestyles were profoundly altered after the pandemic outbreak, as it affected healthcare, education, and the global economy.