Coronavirus Breaking News

Pennsylvania-based Halberd Corporation reported its research team developed a 2nd monoclonal antibody against Covid-19 SARS 2 disease antigens paving the way for the development of a potentially more effective nasal spray. Dr. Mitchell S. Felder, a Halberd consultant, stated on November 5, 2020, a provisional patent application for a nasal spray utilizing the antibodies generated to date against the Covid-19 virus spike protein, along with antibodies against ACE2 receptors, and Neuropilin-1 has been filed.

This approach should eliminate or reduce Covid-19 viral load, which concomitantly greatly reduces clinical manifestations, with what should be a statistically significant reduction in Covid-19 morbidity and mortality.

A study based in Italy and published by EBioMedicne on November 3, 2020, indicates that COVID-19 represents a unique pathology, distinct from other causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (pneumonia).

'The long-term persistence of infected cells and the major structural changes detectable in the lungs after several weeks could represent the anatomical substrate for long-term complications in infected patients who survive the acute phase,' stated these researchers.

'We propose that several of the clinical characteristics that set COVID-19 apart from other interstitial types of pneumonia are not attributable to pneumocyte death as a consequence viral replication but to the persistence of virus-infected, Spike-expressing cells in the lungs of the infected individuals.'

Fosun Pharmaceutical Group's Chief Medical Officer Hui Aimin told Reuters in an interview on November 3, 2020, 'they would seek emergency use authorization in China for the phase 3 BNT162b2 vaccine candidate, which is being produced by Pfizer and BioNTech.

Hui indicated Fosun was applying for a 'bridge study' for the BNT162b2 vaccine candidate, designed to evaluate whether the large trial data gathered, overseas could be extrapolated to the populace of China.'

Germany's health minister Jens Spahn defended his decision to purchase additional supplies of Vekurly (remdesivir) for treating patients with COVID-19, saying Gilead's antiviral drug was useful especially early in the course of the disease, reported Reuters on November 3, 2020. Veklury is an investigational nucleotide analog with broad-spectrum antiviral activity.

Previously, Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced on October 22, 2020, that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the antiviral drug Veklury® for use in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older and weighing at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization.

As part of Canada’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Government of Canada announced new mandatory requirements for travelers to Canada late on November 2, 2020.

As of November 21, 2020, air travelers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information electronically through ArriveCAN before they board their flight. And travelers who do not submit the mandatory information required after they have crossed the Canadian border will be considered a high priority for follow-up by local law enforcement.

This new requirement includes travel and contact information, quarantine plan (unless exempted under conditions set out in the Mandatory Isolation Order issued on October 30, 2020, and COVID-19 symptom self-assessment.

Previously, on October 19, 2020, the U.S. and Canadian governments agreed to extend cross-border travel restrictions to non-essential travel through November 21, 2020.

The state of Massachusetts's administration issued a revised Stay At Home Advisory on November 2, 2020, to ensure residents avoid unnecessary activities that can lead to increased COVID-19 transmission. The revised Stay At Home Advisory instructs residents to stay home between the hours of 10 PM and 5 AM.

This new Advisory takes effect on November 6, 2020, and allows for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk. Moreover, Governor Charles D. Baker's new Executive Order will 'remain effective until rescinded.'

As of November 1, 2020, the Massachusetts 7-day, SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was about 1.8%.

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, issued the following statement: “As the resurgence of COVID-19 activity continues in Canada, we are tracking a range of epidemiological indicators to monitor where the disease is most active."

"Provincial and territorial data, indicate that an average of 1,107 people with COVID-19 were being treated in hospitals each day during the most recent 7-day period (Oct 23-29), including 227 of whom were being treated in intensive care units. During the same period, there were an average of (30) COVID-19-related fatalities reported daily," stated Dr. Tam on November 1, 2020.

Specifically, the majority of the new cases reported on November 1, 2020, can be traced back to just four regions in Ontario: Toronto (279), Peel Region (238), Ottawa (130), and York Region (113), which are all currently under a modified version of the Ontario government’s Stage 2 public health measures, which restrict indoor dining at restaurants and bars and the use of movie theatres and gyms.

This Ontario data contrasts with New Brunswick, where there have been (6) COVID-19 related fatalities reported during 2020. Moreover, Prince Edwards Island has only reported only (64) cases and (0) COVID-19 fatalities this year.

Previously, Canada's website reconfirmed a global travel advisory on October 15, 2020, indicating Canadian citizens and permanent residents are 'advised to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.'