Updates on COVID-19: Treatments and Mutations
- sdiyanair
- Jul 4, 2020
- 2 min read
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Happy July 4th! As many families are outside, grilling, or watching fireworks displays, we must be mindful that there is still an ongoing pandemic.
As of June 3rd, the US has over 2.8M cases and over 130K deaths. On a more hopeful side, there are 21 potential vaccines in human trials and a lot more in development, with AstraZeneca’s vaccine leading the race, almost at Phase III, and Moderna catching up. Let’s all remember that every single second and every minute matters.
A research team at Oxford University has made a breakthrough. They discovered that a steroid, Dexamethasone, can treat inflammation and has now been stamped as the 'New' COVID-19 Drug. The research team has also found that this drug can be useful in certain instances where the symptoms are more severe. Dexamethasone was tested in hospitals in the UK and was found to have benefits for critically ill patients. Dexamethasone reduces the inflammation rate for patients experiencing severe symptoms. Dexamethasone reduces the risk of death by 12 percent from 40 to 28 percent.
Although there have been several discoveries, this virus is mutating. Even though that might sound scary, do not fret. The new mutation causes the virus to spread faster; however, it does not make people sicker. The mutation affects the spike protein that helps the virus clutch onto the cells and is called G614. Because this new mutation causes the virus to spread faster, it broadcasts why it is so important to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Although the transmission rate is higher, the effects are the same as they were before. Erica Ollmann Saphire of the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and the Coronavirus Immunotherapy Consortium states,
“We might have dodged a bullet with this particular mutation. However, that is not to say that another mutation couldn't come on top of this one.”
However, please take comfort in the thought that nobody is alone. We are all going through similar phases with this pandemic, but the main thing is to stay united throughout. Wear a mask, and stay home if you can do so. Things will get better. Stay safe, and be mindful!
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