A New Drug to Be Tested for Its Effectiveness Against Novel Coronavirus

Chinese researchers are going to conduct a clinical trial for checking the effectiveness of an experimental drug in treating the novel Coronavirus infection. This trial will be led at Wuhan. And a team of medical professionals coming from the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing will test this anti-viral drug named, Remdesivir.

This drug was developed to treat infectious illnesses like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Ebola. According to one of the Chinese Media outlets, The Paper, nearly 270 patients suffering from mild to moderate pneumonia caused by this new Coronavirus will be enrolled for the clinical trial on Remdesivir.

This Coronavirus outbreak initiated in China at the end of December 2019. This novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is not just limited to the area where it originated.

Travelers from China have carried this virus to many other countries. Several countries have taken the necessary steps like screening at airports to halt the disease caused by this deadly virus.

The organizations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization are also continuously informing the public about the current situation regarding 2019-nCoV and making efforts to deal with this emergency.

In its latest situation report, published on February 04, 2020, the WHO has described that nearly 20,630 cases of this virus have been confirmed throughout the world. And among these Coronavirus-infected patients, 20,471 were residents of China.

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In China, this virus has caused severe infection in 2788 patients and led to almost 425 deaths. Besides China, 159 confirmed cases of this virus have also been reported in 23 other countries.

In one of the Gilead statements, it was stated that up till now, globally, not even a single drug regulator has approved the use of the drug – Remdesivir. But still, due to the absence of any approved treatment, Remdesivir is being provided to the individuals who are suffering from this Coronavirus outbreak.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. has joined hands with Chinese health officials and is supporting them in conducting this clinical trial. They will check whether Remdesivir is safe and effective as a treatment drug for individuals affected by this Wuhan-originated Coronavirus or not.

Additionally, The Paper added that the health regulator in China also suggest that Kaletra (a medication against HIV) can be used as an antiviral drug to deal with this Coronavirus outbreak. And the clinical trials will also be conducted to check the efficacy of this drug.

Every possible measure is being taken to fight against this Coronavirus outbreak. CDC has provided the public with information about the source and spread of this novel Coronavirus, its risk assessment, and illness severity.

Additionally, the CDC has also given guidelines to the travelers, healthcare professionals, infected individuals, and everyone else to prevent this disease from spreading.

According to the WHO, the cases of this 2019-nCoV have been reported in China, U.A.E, Japan, U.K, Sweden, Spain, Russian Federation, Italy, Germany, Finland, France, Canada, U.S.A, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Viet Nam, and Korea. Whereas, in countries other than China, death due to this novel Coronavirus was reported in the Philippines.