In this number, we begin publication of case series devoted to epidemiology, clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, medical and social consequences of COVID-19. Taking into account the situation anxiety, infection scope and spread rate, involvement of the whole nation into the problem irrespective of gender, age, social affiliations along with comprehensive observing social and medical prevention measures, preemptive training and continuing education of medical specialists are essential considering that novel coronavirus is new not only viewed from its molecular biological features perspective but also from the perspective of possible difficulties of diagnosis and treatment, clinical features, high risk of development of critical conditions and complications, high mortality rate that has been shown by an example of China, USA, and European Countries. In the first report, we tried to highlight the experience gained in the study of novel coronavirus nature, epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations, give information from literature sources based on the experience of our colleagues in coping with serious disease and its consequences. © 2020 Baltic Medical Educational Center.