Coronaviruses was first discovered in the late 1960s and were responsible for most respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in the human population. The present COVID-19 outbreak has affected over 210 countries including Nigeria. It is one of the largest respiratory disease affecting several countries simultaneously; a novel strain of Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified as the causative agent. Sequel to the advice of the International Health Regulation Emergency Committee, the Director-General of WHO declared that, COVID-19 outbreak has become a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30th January, 2020; and characterized it as a pandemic on 11th March, 2020. The success in curtailing the pandemic (COVID-19) depends largely on better understanding of the basic facts. The aim of this review was to examine the basic facts such as, origin, spread, morphology, symptom, diagnosis, precautionary measures with WHO/NCDC/National guidelines, management and treatment, vaccine design and development, pathogenicity and ethical implications.