Amid an increase in coronavirus cases worldwide, a new antibody treatment is being tried in the hope that it could prevent people from developing the deadly virus after being exposed to the disease. According to SkyNews, the antibody, known as AZD7442, was developed by UK-based pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and is now being looked at by the University College London Hospitals NHS Trust as part of a new test called ‘Storm Chaser ‘. To date, ten people have been admitted to the new antibody as part of the trial and UCLH aims to recruit 1,125 people worldwide.
Dr Catherine Houlihan, a UCLH pathologist who also leads the campaign, said officials know that, for now, the antibody mixture can neutralize the virus. She said authorities are hoping to find that administering this treatment by injection can lead to immediate protection against coronavirus development in people who have been exposed. Further, she stated that UCLH aims to include people from key organizations, including health care workers, students in shared accommodation, the military and those which has recently been exposed to the deadly virus.
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Along with ‘Storm Chaser’, another antidote is being sought in the hope that it may help people who cannot benefit from vaccines, such as those with an immune system, or those who are at greater risk for coronavirus due to factors such as age or health. The second antibody test is called ‘Provent’ and volunteers are tested including elderly people, those in long-term care and those with conditions such as HIV and cancer.
As reported, Dr Nicky Longley, UCLH ‘s infectious diseases consultant and managing’ Provent ‘, said officials wanted to reassure anyone whose vaccine did not work that they could choose an alternative. an offer that is just as protective. In a separate statement, NHS England’s national medical professor Stephen Powis also said the NHS’s contribution to global efforts to fight coronavirus is remarkable. He said both clinical trials are an important addition in testing new therapeutic approaches because antibody treatment may offer another group of patients who cannot benefit from vaccination, such as patients with vaccination.
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A new series of COVID in the UK
Meanwhile, the news of the antibody tests comes as the new strain of the virus was discovered in the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the public about the new COVID-19 snort on December 2 and suspended a harder lockdown to keep the release on Saturday. The new strain was first discovered by scientists studying the rise in conditions in the country. Medical experts were alarmed as COVID-19 cases continued to escalate in the south-east of England despite restrictions imposed by the government.
According to the experts, this type of infection is more transmissible than other SARS-CoV-2 mutations. Following the arrival of the new strain, several countries introduced new travel restrictions. The new strain has also been noted in countries including South Africa, Australia, the Netherlands.
(Image: Rep / AP)
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