[News] The Coronavirus Good News thread

[dazzer6666]

Oxford scientists develop extremely rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19

Scientists from Oxford University’s Department of Physics have developed an extremely rapid diagnostic test that detects and identifies viruses in less than five minutes.

The method,*published on the preprint server MedRxiv, is able to differentiate with high accuracy SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, from negative clinical samples, as well as from other common respiratory pathogens such as influenza and seasonal human coronaviruses.

Working directly on throat swabs from COVID-19 patients, without the need for genome extraction, purification or amplification of the viruses, the method starts with the rapid labelling of virus particles in the sample with short fluorescent DNA strands. A microscope is then used to collect images of the sample, with each image containing hundreds of fluorescently-labelled viruses.

Machine-learning software quickly and automatically identifies the virus present in the sample. This approach exploits the fact that distinct virus types have differences in their fluorescence labeling due to differences in their surface chemistry, size, and shape.

The scientists have worked with clinical collaborators at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to validate the assay on COVID-19 patient samples which were confirmed by conventional RT-PCR methods.

The researchers aim to develop an integrated device that will eventually be used for testing in sites such as businesses, music venues, airports etc., to establish and safeguard COVID-19-free spaces.

They are currently working with Oxford University Innovation (OUI) and two external business/finance advisors to set up a spinout, and are seeking investment to accelerate the translation of the test into a fully integrated device to be deployed as a real-time diagnostic platform capable of detecting multiple virus threats.

They hope to incorporate the company by the end of the year, start product development in early 2021, and have an approved device available within 6 months of that time.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-10-1...elop-extremely-rapid-diagnostic-test-covid-19

Fantastic news this........hopefully production of the machinery will be accelerated - sounds like something worth chucking money at to speed it up.

 

[Postman Pat]

Fantastic news this........hopefully production of the machinery will be accelerated - sounds like something worth chucking money at to speed it up.

To me this sounds like something the government should be throwing money at, would get every area of the economy, hospitality, travel, sport, entertainment back to full speed pretty much overnight.

Would assume some corporations would be very keen to support this and get their business back on track, Branson, Sugar, Willie Walsh etc..

 

[beorhthelm]

To me this sounds like something the government should be throwing money at, would get every area of the economy, hospitality, travel, sport, entertainment back to full speed pretty much overnight.

have pour a little cold water here. there's been so many promising test alternatives, even accepting lower reliability they dont scale. 5 minutes sounds great, it needs dozens of them for an event and still wait an hour or two. however if they can be used for main testing to reduce turnaround, could still be positive.

 

[crabface]

Yes its the Mail but good to see a positive article from the main stream media:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ons-death-rates-claims-justify-lockdowns.html

 

[Mellotron]

CDC optimistic coronavirus vaccines will be released by end of the year.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted an optimistic forecast about coronavirus vaccines Wednesday, promising some vaccines by the end of the year.

There could be a limited supply at first but that would increase in the weeks and months after initial release, the CDC says on a new page posted to its coronavirus website.

"The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available," the CDC says. "The plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers available so no one will have to travel far to be vaccinated, whether it's at your doctor's office, retail pharmacy, hospital, or federally qualified health center."

The CDC plays no role in vaccine development but will help distribute vaccines. The National Institutes of Health is helping develop and test vaccines while the US Food and Drug Administration will give any emergency use authorization or approval.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS News a vaccine might be widely available by April.

Fauci said researchers should know by "November or December" whether some vaccines trials have a safe candidate and that even if and when a safe candidate is determined, initial quantities will likely only be a few million doses.

"If there is limited supply, some groups may be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first," the CDC page notes.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/14/health/us-coronavirus-wednesday/index.html

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

I’ve been put on stand by to help the ground crew side of the airline bring over vaccine before the end of the year.

Haven’t been given a date yet.

 

[Mellotron]

I’ve been put on stand by to help the ground crew side of the airline bring over vaccine before the end of the year.

Haven’t been given a date yet.

Just to know all of these things are being put in place feels really, really encouraging.

Can I ask from where?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Just to know all of these things are being put in place feels really, really encouraging.

Can I ask from where?

Haven’t been given that side of it yet - they said the latest is Jan 21 - but expected this year.

We are starting work on the logistics shortly.

I’ll update ASAP

 

[Is it PotG?]

Can I ask from where?

Russia?

 

[Bozza]

Pfizer expect to apply for vaccine approval by the third week of November:

So let me be clear, assuming positive data, Pfizer will apply for Emergency Authorization Use in the U.S. soon after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November. All the data contained in our U.S. application would be reviewed not only by the FDA’s own scientists but also by an external panel of independent experts at a publicly held meeting convened by the agency.

The timelines above reflect our best estimates of when these important milestones could be achieved. For 171 years Pfizer has been known for our high-quality standards. Our purpose is to discover breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. I cannot think of a breakthrough that would be more meaningful to a greater number of people than an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine.​

https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/an_open_letter_from_pfizer_chairman_and_ceo_albert_bourla

 

[Mellotron]

Pfizer expect to apply for vaccine approval by the third week of November:

So let me be clear, assuming positive data, Pfizer will apply for Emergency Authorization Use in the U.S. soon after the safety milestone is achieved in the third week of November. All the data contained in our U.S. application would be reviewed not only by the FDA’s own scientists but also by an external panel of independent experts at a publicly held meeting convened by the agency.

The timelines above reflect our best estimates of when these important milestones could be achieved. For 171 years Pfizer has been known for our high-quality standards. Our purpose is to discover breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. I cannot think of a breakthrough that would be more meaningful to a greater number of people than an effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine.​

https://www.pfizer.com/news/hot-topics/an_open_letter_from_pfizer_chairman_and_ceo_albert_bourla

Starting to wonder whether they might beat Oxford to it. Going to be a close one.

We are close enough to mid-November now for this to be taken seriously, rather than prior, longer term projections.

The whole article is worth a read for those wanting to understand the process of Vaccine approval. There are 3 steps that require approval - efficacy, safety, and manufacturing. Pfizer believe all 3 can be complete by the 3rd week of November and put in front of independent assessors.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

I volunteered for Novovax Covid vaccine trial. Having my first appointment on Wednesday. Nervous yes, but also it gives me a feeling of hope, that although we are in a dark place at present there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

This thread always cheers me up

I'll let you know how I get on .

 

[Mellotron]

I volunteered for Novovax Covid vaccine trial. Having my first appointment on Wednesday. Nervous yes, but also it gives me a feeling of hope, that although we are in a dark place at present there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

This thread always cheers me up

I'll let you know how I get on .

I've heard really encouraging things about the Novavax vaccine. Good luck. You're a part of history.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Haven’t been given that side of it yet - they said the latest is Jan 21 - but expected this year.

We are starting work on the logistics shortly.

I’ll update ASAP

Thanks for sharing, that's great insider info.

 

[Fungus]

I volunteered for Novovax Covid vaccine trial. Having my first appointment on Wednesday. Nervous yes, but also it gives me a feeling of hope, that although we are in a dark place at present there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

This thread always cheers me up

I'll let you know how I get on .

Well done for volunteering. What's the routine - pre-isolation, get vaccinated, then out snogging as many students as possible?

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

Starting to wonder whether they might beat Oxford to it. Going to be a close one.

We are close enough to mid-November now for this to be taken seriously, rather than prior, longer term projections.

The whole article is worth a read for those wanting to understand the process of Vaccine approval. There are 3 steps that require approval - efficacy, safety, and manufacturing. Pfizer believe all 3 can be complete by the 3rd week of November and put in front of independent assessors.

With Americas track record on rushing shite through, I do wonder if it is undergoing the same stringent tests as over here or the rest of Europe ?
I am not questioning the medical profession as such in America, just the need for a fix and as usual they want to be the first to plant a flag on the moon and look at us we did it first. If I was offered a vaccine from America and the opportunity for a European made vaccine was several weeks or even months later, I would wait.

 

[Yoda]

Well done for volunteering. What's the routine - pre-isolation, get vaccinated, then out snogging as many students as possible?

If it is, where do I sign up?

 

[blue-shifted]

Well done for volunteering. What's the routine - pre-isolation, get vaccinated, then out snogging as many students as possible?

How would one sign up?

 

[DIFFBROOK]

Those days are well gone.

Well done for volunteering. What's the routine - pre-isolation, get vaccinated, then out snogging as many students as possible?

 

[Stumpy Tim]

With Americas track record on rushing shite through, I do wonder if it is undergoing the same stringent tests as over here or the rest of Europe ?
I am not questioning the medical profession as such in America, just the need for a fix and as usual they want to be the first to plant a flag on the moon and look at us we did it first. If I was offered a vaccine from America and the opportunity for a European made vaccine was several weeks or even months later, I would wait.

And yet the US still haven't restarted the Oxford vaccine after their scare. I think you're being harsh on the FDA - they´re actually quite cautious