The following will be one in a series of articles that will cover perspectives on the latest research and proposed treatments for those exposed to and exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus.
As much needed research continues on the study and treatment of the novel coronavirus strains known as Covid-19 – named for its discovery in late 2019 – various countries are recommending a range of treatments that produce varying degrees of success.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a new database of collected treatments from various countries is being assembled as a resource for medical professionals. Additionally, China has provided a genome of the novel coronavirus, that has enabled researches to begin the process of synthesizing a vaccine that will help stem the coronavirus outbreak.
WHO’s international cooperative known as the Solidarity Trial has coordinated global efforts to access and study effective medical treatments for the COVID-19 virus. As a result various treatments, many of which are seeking FDA approval in the United States, have come to the fore and have been made available for medical professionals.
Recently, the Russian Ambassador to the Philippines, Igor Khovaev, offered the Philippine government a donation of Russian pharmaceutical Polisan’s Cycloferon for the treatment of COVID-19. Khovaev claims Cycloferon is, “largely used in China, for example, and the results are very, very encouraging, are very positive.”
Khovaev claims the donation is for humanitarian relief. Cycloferon is an antiviral used in the treatment of pneumonia and acute viral respiratory infections.
Just this week, Chinese Science and Technology official, Zhang Zinmin recommended a drug produced by Japan’s Fujifilm Toyama Chemical known as Favipiravir (or Avigan), a treatment for influenza. He says, “It has a high degree of safety and is clearly effective in treatment.” The Japanese Health Ministry, however, claims the drug has been proven effective for those exhibiting mild symptoms.
The Japanese Ministry further claims that antiretrovirals used for HIV treatment have had similar effects for those exhibiting mild symptoms.
As treatments are currently undergoing clinical trials, the World Health Organization has created The WHO Health Alert, a public “messaging system” accessible on WhatsApp and Facebook, that provides up-to-the-minute information on developments on the coronavirus health crisis.
In the meantime, countries with the highest concentration of the outbreak are mandating that people stay-at-home, shelter in place, and self-quarantines to stem the spread of the coronavirus, particularly now that medical supplies are running short and hospital staff are placed in considerable danger by the overwhelming numbers being tested and treated for COVID-19.
Photo: by Bernard Bujold/LeStudio1
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American Side Note 