During a pandemic, scientists and regulatory bodies work together to figure out new drugs to treat diseases like COVID-19. While we are closer to a coronavirus cure, we have still not found a single treatment that works to cure this disease. Instead, scientists currently use a blend of treatments to alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19. Until a true cure is found, it is important to continue disinfecting shared spaces and using preventative measures to stop the spread of this disease.
Will a Coronavirus Cure Be Available Soon?
There is no cure for COVID-19. Like most viruses, the human body has to fight the disease naturally. While there may not be a true cure, there are a few treatments that can alleviate the effects of this illness.
- Monoclonal antibodies.
- Convalescent plasma.
- Remdesivir.
- Dexamethasone.
Monoclonal antibodies are a new treatment for adults and children who are over the age of 12. This treatment must be given in the first 10 days after someone develops symptoms. In research studies, patients had a 3 percent chance of being hospitalized after taking monoclonal antibodies. Typical patients had a 10 percent chance of being hospitalized in the following month.
Convalescent plasma uses plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 already. The antibodies in the plasma may reduce the severity or length of the disease. While more research is necessary, the latest studies show promising results already.
Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that seems to speed up recovery times. The drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2020. In clinical studies, patients who received remdesivir recovered in 10 days. Patients who did not receive the antiviral drug recovered in 15 days.
Finally, dexamethasone may decrease the odds of dying in severely ill patients. This corticosteroid seems to work by slowing down the immune response in patients who are experiencing a cytokine storm. Right now, scientists are trying to figure out the right point for using dexamethasone during the treatment process.
When Will a Vaccine Be Available?
While there is no coronavirus cure available, a vaccine will be ready soon. The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently expects a vaccine to be available in February at the very earliest for the general public. Depending on how well manufacturing and distribution go, it may take until July or August for the general public to get a vaccine.
Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca already have vaccines in late-stage clinical trials. The Pfizer vaccine is 95 percent effective. While Moderna has not finalized their results yet, the early results show that the vaccine is 94.5 percent effective. AstraZeneca hopes that its results will be available before the end of 2020.
The Importance of Disinfecting Homes and Offices
Until a vaccine is available, you need to clean and disinfect your home and office to stop the spread of COVID-19. Air filters, masks and plastic shields can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to the CDC, your business should use the following steps to disinfect surfaces.
- Disinfect using a household disinfectant that has been approved for killing the COVID-19 virus.
- Leave the product wet on the surface for the time period listed on the product label.
- Wear skin and eye protection. You should also make sure that there is adequate ventilation.
- Do not mix chemical products.
- Unless the label says otherwise, you should use water at room temperature for dilution purposes.
- If you are using household bleach, you should use bleach that contains a hypochlorite level of 5.25 to 8.25 percent. Then, you should add five tablespoons of bleach to every gallon of water.
Cleaning staff members should frequently wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Surfaces like doorknobs and light switches are used frequently, so they should be cleaned more often. As staff members clean, they should wear disposable gloves.
If you want to clean and disinfect your property, PCT Disinfecting can help. We sanitize and disinfect schools, office buildings, daycare centers and residential properties. Through our 90-day virus protection, we can shield your property with the latest antimicrobial technology. To find out more information, call us today.