The COVID-19 vaccine may spell the end of the pandemic, but while mass vaccination is not available it is vital to stop community transmission. The new antiviral drug MK-4482 / EIDD-2801 or Molnupiravir, has managed to suppress “completely” the transmission of the coronavirus in just 24 hours , according to studies by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Georgia State University.
“This is the first demonstration of an orally available drug that quickly blocks the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 , so it could be a game changer,” the researchers explained in the work published in the journal Nature Microbiology .
Dr. Richard Plemper, who led the group at GSU, discovered the drug while studying influenza viruses and said this could be a game-changer for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, because currently approved antiviral treatments such as remdesivir and reconvalescent serum must be administered in a hospital setting.
“This is the first demonstration of an orally available drug to rapidly block SARS-CoV-2 transmission,” Plemper said.
- South Carolina Records 4,809 New Covid-19 Infections Thursday
- SC DHEC expands the number of medical professionals who may administer COVID-19 vaccine
- South Carolina Hospital Bed Occupancy is at a Critical Level
- South Carolina reports 4,673 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Wednesday
- Prisma: COVID-19 hospitalizations surge in Greenville; plus, how eligible people can register for vaccination
- Greenville Mayor, Prisma Leaders Hold News Conference on South Carolina Covid-19 Status
- South Carolina Ranks 46th in Covid-19 Vaccination Rollout
- Covid-19 Vaccination Appointments Begin Today in South Carolina
- HHS and Defense Department give COVID-19 vaccine update
- Covid-19 Vaccination in South Carolina: Where Things Stand
Upstate News Headlines
- Weekend Things to Do: Greenville South Carolina
- TRAFFIC ALERT: Tractor-trailer overturns, blocks busy Greenville County highway
- Photos: New York City bus left dangling from overpass after crash
- U.S. Marshals arrest suspect who deputies say barricaded himself inside home with disabled person
- Woman credits 'infamous load of laundry' with discovery of D.C. pipe bomb
- Months after this man lost his class ring at the beach, a complete stranger reached out to return it
- Fate of President-elect Biden's agenda rests with Schumer in 50-50 Senate
- No. 5 South Carolina routs Vandy behind Saxton's 20 points
- Frank Martin unavailable for South Carolina's trip to Baton Rouge
- Expanded COVID-19 vaccine rollout in US spawns a new set of problems
- 'Kill him with his own gun': Police describe facing the mob at the Capitol
