So, would this be in the form of a drug to be taken by someone who is already infected, as opposed to another vaccine?
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[News] The Coronavirus Good News thread
- Thread starter Bozza
- Start date
So, would this be in the form of a drug to be taken by someone who is already infected, as opposed to another vaccine?
Yoda
English & European
Both according to this:
The neutralising antibody "has potential to alter the course of infection in the infected host, support virus clearance or protect an uninfected individual that is exposed to the virus," said Dr Berend-Jan Bosch, co-lead author on the study.
The Wizard
Well-known member
- Jul 2, 2009
- 18,383
I would assume discovery the exact antibodies a healthy person uses to fight off the virus, some without even knowing, will help all aspects of fighting the disease, vaccines and potential drug treatments.
More good news, UK hospitals total looks like being around 230 this Monday, down from 360 last Monday, a decrease of over 35%
The way science is really pushing back against this virus with good news and further developments practically every day, makes me believe we may not see too bad of a second wave, along with the other, more obvious reasons (higher immunity, social distancing of some forms continuing, active tracking of the virus etc).
thedonkeycentrehalf
Retired
- Jul 7, 2003
- 8,653
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...e-gets-us-go-ahead-for-covid-19-antibody-test
Key thing here is that is has a specificity rate of about 99.8% and sensitivity rate of 100%. Also production by June to “high double-digit millions” per month.
Key thing here is that is has a specificity rate of about 99.8% and sensitivity rate of 100%. Also production by June to “high double-digit millions” per month.
I'm here for the awkward question about how someone gave it to a goat...
*Tsk* this had dropped off the front page, come on you lot.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-test-antibody-uk-covid-19-matt-hancock-roche-a9498601.html
Coronavirus: UK in talks over rollout of antibody test with near-100% accuracy rate, says Hancock.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/coronavirus-test-antibody-uk-covid-19-matt-hancock-roche-a9498601.html
Coronavirus: UK in talks over rollout of antibody test with near-100% accuracy rate, says Hancock.
Israel claims "significant breakthrough" in Covid-19 treatment
Oliver Holmes
Israel’s defence minister has claimed researchers in the country have made a “significant breakthrough” in a possible treatment for Covid-19 patients.
Naftali Bennett said the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed antibodies – proteins that help the immune system to fight infection – that “can neutralise (the coronavirus) inside carriers’ bodies.”
Bennett had visited the IIBR on Monday where he was briefed “on a significant breakthrough in finding an antidote for the coronavirus”, his office said in a statement. The treatment was currently being patented, and the IIBR was looking to mass-produce it.
It was not clear what timeframe for the treatment being widely available was, or if animal or human trials were due to be conducted.
The announcement follows a similar study by researchers in the Netherlands, who said on Monday that they had developed an antibody that can kill the virus within a lab setting.
Roughly 100 other research groups around the world are currently pursuing vaccines, which would provide immunity from infection.
Oliver Holmes
Israel’s defence minister has claimed researchers in the country have made a “significant breakthrough” in a possible treatment for Covid-19 patients.
Naftali Bennett said the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR) developed antibodies – proteins that help the immune system to fight infection – that “can neutralise (the coronavirus) inside carriers’ bodies.”
Bennett had visited the IIBR on Monday where he was briefed “on a significant breakthrough in finding an antidote for the coronavirus”, his office said in a statement. The treatment was currently being patented, and the IIBR was looking to mass-produce it.
It was not clear what timeframe for the treatment being widely available was, or if animal or human trials were due to be conducted.
The announcement follows a similar study by researchers in the Netherlands, who said on Monday that they had developed an antibody that can kill the virus within a lab setting.
Roughly 100 other research groups around the world are currently pursuing vaccines, which would provide immunity from infection.
Marshy
Well-known member
Bloody love this thread.
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
Best thread on NSC
LamieRobertson
Not awoke
This mornings tweet from the Prof
Every morning I read the paper over a coffee and try to make sense of what's happening.
I see more reasons for optimism every day.
All over the world the virus is on the retreat - there's a long way to go yet, but we're all getting there.
Every morning I read the paper over a coffee and try to make sense of what's happening.
I see more reasons for optimism every day.
All over the world the virus is on the retreat - there's a long way to go yet, but we're all getting there.
There speaks someone who doesn't want a new pair of slippers.
We know to expect the number of overall cases to keep going up as testing ramps up globally, but I've been watching the number of Active Serious or Critical Cases on Worldometers for the last few days.
It has been dropping slowly, has now dropped below 50,000 today for the first time in quite a while.
It has been dropping slowly, has now dropped below 50,000 today for the first time in quite a while.
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highflyer
Well-known member
- Jan 21, 2016
- 2,437
So much of this pandemic is awful - it would be wrong to overlook that. And I appreciate that for many, there will be precious few postives to be found right now.
But it is good to occasionally look for some of the good things we might take from the situation when it is over. We have seen an (almost - I am looking at you [MENTION=144]goldstone[/MENTION]) universal appreciation for those that dedicate their lives to others, and those that we rely on for so much, but think about so little in normal times. Seen the way that people have come together in local communities. Supported each other when in need. Smiled at each other more.
It's already starting to fade a bit (we no longer have to be nice to each other on here after all), but I desperately hope we can hang on to some of that.
And there are other things that we can decide to hang on to, and take with us. It's been noted many times on this thread, and elsewhere how much better the environment is with less polluting activity. As the government spends its way out of the slump we can use this moment to lock in some of the things we have appreciated. And the good news is that it's probably the best way to improve things economically as well as environmentally:
https://www.theguardian.com/environ...-repair-global-economy-and-climate-study-says
Another thing that many people will have experienced is the benefits of a slowed-down pace of life. More time with family (OK...maybe too much time in many cases) less frantic running around, more focus on positive exercise and enjoying the outdoors when you can. And for many it seems this means sleeping better and living healthier. To the point that it seems the reduction in heart problems at hospitals may not be just about people being reluctant to come in, as assumed, but may also reflect a genuine reduction in those problems as a result of our new lifestyles:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52535044
I hope we can find ways to take this reduced pace of life into our individual and collective futures as we gradually return to 'normal' in the coming months.
But it is good to occasionally look for some of the good things we might take from the situation when it is over. We have seen an (almost - I am looking at you [MENTION=144]goldstone[/MENTION]) universal appreciation for those that dedicate their lives to others, and those that we rely on for so much, but think about so little in normal times. Seen the way that people have come together in local communities. Supported each other when in need. Smiled at each other more.
It's already starting to fade a bit (we no longer have to be nice to each other on here after all), but I desperately hope we can hang on to some of that.
And there are other things that we can decide to hang on to, and take with us. It's been noted many times on this thread, and elsewhere how much better the environment is with less polluting activity. As the government spends its way out of the slump we can use this moment to lock in some of the things we have appreciated. And the good news is that it's probably the best way to improve things economically as well as environmentally:
https://www.theguardian.com/environ...-repair-global-economy-and-climate-study-says
Another thing that many people will have experienced is the benefits of a slowed-down pace of life. More time with family (OK...maybe too much time in many cases) less frantic running around, more focus on positive exercise and enjoying the outdoors when you can. And for many it seems this means sleeping better and living healthier. To the point that it seems the reduction in heart problems at hospitals may not be just about people being reluctant to come in, as assumed, but may also reflect a genuine reduction in those problems as a result of our new lifestyles:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52535044
I hope we can find ways to take this reduced pace of life into our individual and collective futures as we gradually return to 'normal' in the coming months.
Mr Banana
Tedious chump
Aye. And some companies that had no home working policy or IT infrastructure to allow home working have now created those. Hopefully that will mean more time at home, less hours of travelling to empty offices and brief meetings.
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
You would think the pure economics makes this inevitable. I know of a company near Brighton who spend £300k a year for an office in London that services 50 people. Now everyone is happily working at home, and the infrastructure is paid for, why would they keep spending that money? You also save an hour each way of commuting, so productivity increases.
This has been obvious for a while, but the upfront cost of infrastructure has put business off... that's been sorted now.
Marshy
Well-known member
Couldn't agree more, why do people need to travel 90 mins into London each way to work when they can do it at home for example.
Even working at the hospital here at PRH I can see a high percentage of non clinical staff working from home going forward
It just makes sense. Using Microsoft teams has really taken off.
highflyer
Well-known member
- Jan 21, 2016
- 2,437
From the BBC website:
Austria’s Health Minister Rudi Anschober says the first relaxation of its coronavirus lockdown three weeks ago has not led to a new increase in infections.
Thousands of small shops, garden centres and DIY stores re-opened on 14 April.
"The situation is very, very constant, very, very stable and that is a really very, very positive, good situation,” Anschober said.
But he called on Austrians to be careful, after further steps to ease the coronavirus lockdown were introduced at the beginning of May.
"May will be the decisive month," he said.
All shops, hairdressers and beauty salons have been allowed to reopen in the second step of easing restrictions.
People are now free to leave their homes, although working from home is still encouraged.
Anschober called on people to continue to cover their mouths and noses, to maintain the distance of at least a metre and to wash their hands.
Austria’s Health Minister Rudi Anschober says the first relaxation of its coronavirus lockdown three weeks ago has not led to a new increase in infections.
Thousands of small shops, garden centres and DIY stores re-opened on 14 April.
"The situation is very, very constant, very, very stable and that is a really very, very positive, good situation,” Anschober said.
But he called on Austrians to be careful, after further steps to ease the coronavirus lockdown were introduced at the beginning of May.
"May will be the decisive month," he said.
All shops, hairdressers and beauty salons have been allowed to reopen in the second step of easing restrictions.
People are now free to leave their homes, although working from home is still encouraged.
Anschober called on people to continue to cover their mouths and noses, to maintain the distance of at least a metre and to wash their hands.