London, UK (CWBN)_ British scientist are reportedly testing out a new drug capable of providing instant and long term immunity (6 to 12 months) from the Covid-19 virus, and could be used as an emergency treatment amongst at risk communities such as senior citizens, hospital patients, university students and even the military.
Under its Phase III drug trial, referred to as “Storm Chaser”, the University College of London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS has already trialled the drug with 10 people, including medical staff and university students. It is expected that the drug will be administered to about 1,125 volunteers globally.
The UCLH has also commenced a second trial, referred to as “Provent”, to study the drug’s effects on those with compromised immune systems, such as seniors, and those with HIV or cancer.
Lead researcher for the trial, Dr. Catherine Houlihan told the Guardian that, “We know that this antibody combination can neutralise the virus, so we hope to find that giving this treatment via injection can lead to immediate protection against the development of Covid-19 in people who have been exposed – when it would be too late to offer a vaccine.”
As of yesterday (25th Dec), 2.22 million people have been infected with the virus in the UK, including nearly 33,000 infections recorded in the last 24 hours, and about 70,195 people have been reported to have died as a result of the infection. Moreover, spikes in case and fatalities have been projected in a fresh wave, owing to the new strain of Covid that was detected in the country just days ago.
