Remdesivir reduces COVID-19 recovery time, plus more top stories in infectious disease
Recent data from a multinational randomized control trial showed the investigational antiviral remdesivir reduced the time to recovery from COVID-19. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
Another top story was about a scientific brief from WHO that concluded there is not enough evidence to date that suggests antibodies to SARS-CoV protect patients against reinfection.
Read these stories and more top stories below:
Fauci on remdesivir for COVID-19: ‘This will be the standard of care’
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD, said that data from a multinational randomized control trial showed that Gilead’s investigational antiviral remdesivir “has a clear-cut significant positive effect in diminishing time to recovery” for patients with COVID-19. Read more.
WHO: No evidence to date to suggest COVID-19 antibodies protect against reinfection
There is currently no evidence to suggest that people who recover from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected against reinfection with the illness, according to a scientific brief from WHO. As a result, although some governments have suggested that the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 may be an “immunity passport” that allows individuals to travel or return to work under the belief that they are protected from reinfection, there is no evidence to support that. Read more.
IDSA publishes PPE guidelines for health care workers treating COVID-19
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has published a set of eight recommendations that provide guidance on the use of personal protective equipment for health care workers treating patients who are suspected, or known, to have COVID-19. Read more.
BARDA, Cytovale launch study to diagnose sepsis in patients with COVID-19
Cytovale Inc. will expand its partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, to examine the use of Cytovale’s Rapid Sepsis Diagnostic System for diagnosing sepsis in patients with potential respiratory infections, including COVID-19, according to a press release. Read more.
FDA authorizes emergency use of remdesivir for COVID-19
The FDA issued emergency use authorization for remdesivir to be distributed in the United States and administered intravenously by health care providers in adults and children hospitalized with severe cases of confirmed COVID-19. Read more.