LONDON: A leading British public health expert has said that coronavirus (COVID-19) infection could be “far more treatable” in the next six to 18 months.
Sir Simon Stevens, head of Public Health England, told UK MPs the world could look forward to a “far more normal future” with the introduction of new treatments, as well as immunization programs.
Sir Simon told the UK Health and Social Care Select Committee: “In the first half of the year, the vaccine is going to be crucial. I think many of us in the health service are increasingly optimistic that we will see more and more cures for coronavirus in the second half of the year and beyond.
“I think it is possible that, over the next six to 18 months, coronavirus becomes a much easier to treat infection with antivirals and other treatments, which are part of the vaccination program, holding out hope that it will return to a much more normal future, ”he said.
As governments and pharmaceutical giants have raced to develop COVID-19 vaccines, efforts have also increased to find alternative therapies, including through the use of new and established antiviral medications. previously used for diseases ranging from lung diseases to cancers.
Sir Simon said reducing disease rates through vaccination programs was the key to global efforts to reduce the spread.
“Basically, the most important thing is to reduce the overall level of infection … this is specifically about reducing the level of avoidable deaths,” he told MPs.
He said the initial efforts to vaccinate older people over the age of 65 would have a “significant impact” on overall numbers, but added that about a quarter of COVID cases were severe. -19 in people under 55 In the UK, he continued, there were almost half of emergency care bed days in hospital with people under 65.