Image analysis and data processing for COVID-19

COVID-19 is a deadly disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It was first discovered by variations in the respirational and immune systems of a patient who died of a severe acute respiratory syndrome. The first country heavily affected by coronavirus was China. The first case was detected in Wuhan city, China. This virus spreads rapidly from person to person. Based on laboratory tests for coronavirus disease in humans, it is suspected that bats are the natural source of spread of large varieties of virus. The two major viruses, SARS-CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, originated from the bat; it caused an unexpected disease outbreak in the 21st century throughout the world. Researchers and doctors have investigated COVID in cadavers. The virus was detected in lung, trachea/bronchus, stomach, small intestine, distal convoluted renal tubule, sweat gland, pancreas, adrenal gland, parathyroid, pituitary, cerebrum, and liver. However, it was not noted in bone marrow, heart, aorta, cerebellum, thyroid, testis, esophagus, spleen, lymph node, ovary, muscle, or uterus. This chapter briefly discusses image analysis and data processing used to accelerate COVID-19 detection and support the efforts of researchers and physician to help infected people and break the chain of disease from person to person.