Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the National Institutes of Health have made a critical breakthrough toward developing a vaccine for the 2019 novel coronavirus by creating the first 3D atomic scale map of the part of the virus that attaches to and infects human cells. Mapping this part, called the spike
Egypt, Algeria and Republic of South Africa are the African countries most at risk for coronavirus COVID-19 importation in the continent, due to high air traffic with the contaminated Chinese provinces. But these countries are also among the best equipped on the continent to quickly detect and deal with new cases. In other African countries,
A newly published study from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) is offering a massive epidemiological insight into the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak. The paper examines more than 44,000 confirmed patients, finding over 80 percent of cases are only mild in severity. SOURCE CCDC As cases of the novel coronavirus disease, now named Covid-19,
Janssen strengthens collaboration with Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in an effort to stem the threat of the global COVID-19 outbreak Johnson & Johnson today announced that its Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies will expand its existing partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary
Eleven critically ill patients at a hospital in Wuhan received plasma infusions last week: one patient has already been discharged, one is able to get off the bed and walk and the others are all recovering . Chinese health officials Monday urged patients who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate blood so that plasma
With cases of Covid-19 spreading worldwide, governments and institutions are getting ready for the first cases in Africa. Munyaradzi Makoni reports from Cape Town in Lancet https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30355-X “The risk and likelihood of getting an outbreak is very, very high”, said Ambrose Talisuna, the WHO Africa team lead for emergency preparedness. As of Feb 11, Africa
China has developed convalescent plasma to treat patients who are infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the China National Biotec Group. The company said they have collected plasma from some recovered patients to prepare therapeutic products including convalescent plasma and immune globulin. After strict blood biosafety tests, virus inactivation and antiviral activity tests,
Results support testing antiviral against 2019 novel coronavirus. Source NIH The experimental antiviral remdesivir successfully prevented disease in rhesus macaques infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), according to a new study from National Institutes of Health scientists. Remdesivir prevented disease when administered before infection and improved the condition of macaques when given after
China has rolled out a mobile app “close contact detector,” enabling people to check whether they were at the risk of catching the novel coronavirus. Following its release on the evening of Feb 8, users can scan a QR code via mobile apps like Alipay, WeChat or QQ to make an inquiry. After registering with
A review article summarises everything that researchers know about the lifetime of corona viruses on surfaces and the effect of disinfectants. How long do corona viruses persist on surfaces such as door handles or hospital bedside tables? Which methods can be used to kill them effectively? A research team from Greifswald and Bochum has compiled
