On any television channel, radio station or news site, only one thing is mentioned: the pandemicof new coronavirus. In addition to the aforementioned media, the theme gained space on social networks and WhatsApp groups.
With the rapid spread of virus, countries have adopted emergency measures and requested temporary social isolation through quarantine. Schools have suspended their classes, businesses are practically closed and it is not yet known for sure when things will recover.
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There are more than 300,000 cases of coronavirus confirmed worldwide as of Tuesday, March 24, and more than 1,800 infected in Brazil, with 34 deaths. In all, about 15,000 people died from Covid-19.
Amid this negative wave of fear and insecurity, there is good news that fills the heart with hope in these dark days. See some of promising news from science about the coronavirus pandemic!
1. China's vaccine
Experts from the China Academy of Military Medical Sciences, which is linked to the army, obtained, on March 17, approval to carry out clinical trials of a experimental vaccine against the new coronavirus.
However, there is still no forecast for the start of commercialization of the product for immunization, after the conclusion of the tests.
2. The US Vaccine
In addition to China, the U.S also started work to develop a vaccine to immunize against Covid-19. have already starteds testsin humans, who will be followed for six weeks.
After completing this initial phase, other tests will be carried out to then start series production. The process should last between 12 and 18 months, depending on the response to the experiments and legal procedures.
3. Canada's vaccine
A Canadian biotechnology company, Medicago, has also announced that it is developing a vaccine to fight the new coronavirus.
In a statement, the agency claims that testing on humans may begin in the second half, in July or August, depending on the bureaucratic nature of the country. Still, the expectation is that it will be made available to the mass public around 18 months.
4. Hydroxychloroquine as a hope for treatment
Chinese researchers, through an in vitro simulation, had satisfactory results in the use of hydroxychloroquine in the fight against the new coronavirus. A clinical study carried out by the French also pointed out the effectiveness of the drug.
The drug, found under the trade names Plaquinol and Reuquinol, is administered in the treatment of arthritis, lupus erythematosus, photosensitive diseases and malaria.
Even with the studies, the use of the drug for the treatment of Covid-19 needs to undergo clinical tests in order to have its efficiency proven.
5. The administration of Favipiravir in the treatment
In China, the Japanese drug Favipiravir, marketed under the name Avigan, has demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of patients infected with Covid-19.
These results also need to be evaluated by more scientists. They are primary and hopeful results, in the constant search for treatments for a new vvirus.
6. An old technique as an ally in the treatment of the new virus
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University, in the USA, have been studying to carry out coronavirus treatment tests using an old technique, used in the Spanish flu pandemic from 1918.
Basically, the technique is supported by the application of antibodies from patients infected with the virus and who managed to cure themselves in those who are contaminated by the virus. The researchers' hypothesis is that the antibodies used are capable of mitigating the disease.
7. Wuhan zero cases
The city of Wuhan, China, is the place of origin of the new coronavirus and, for many days, it was considered the global epicenter of the pandemic. As of March 18, Wuhan has recorded zero new cases since the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak in late December 2019.
8. China virtually zero local transmission
On March 18, China released positive news, with no new cases of coronavirus reported in Wuhan and no further local transmission. All new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, until then, came from trips abroad.
Last Sunday, March 22, China announced that there were 46 new cases of the disease and only one due to local transmission of the new coronavirus, something that had not occurred for three days. The broadcast took place in the Guangzhou region.
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