Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) medical researchers in Pakistan have asserted on Monday that they have made a cure to treat positive coronavirus patients, a local news channel reported.
Dow University’s development for coronavirus cure
A medical research team from Dow University of Medical Sciences has developed intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) with plasma taken from the blood of patients recovered from coronavirus, according to their statement.
One of the members from the medical research team of Dow University said, “Intravenous Immunoglobulin is a great development in the fight against novel coronavirus.”
Lab tests and animal trials were successful. The next step is to initiate clinical trials.
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on April 9th, allowed clinical trials of blood plasma therapy to treat coronavirus cases in the country. Previously, Plasma has proven useful in small studies to cure infectious diseases like MERS, Ebola and SARS.
‘The DRAP has also approved local manufacturing of the raw material of the anti-malarial drug, chloroquine,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr. Zafar Mirza.
Stats of Coronavirus cases in Pakistan
According to the official stats, 112 cases have been reported in Pakistan during the last 24 hours.
Punjab has the highest number of coronavirus cases up to 2,672, 1,452 in Sindh, 744 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 230 in Balochistan, 224 in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), 131 in Islamabad and 43 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Worldwide coronavirus cases
More than 1.9 million people have been infected worldwide, while at the time of writing 441,232 have made a recovery, according to statistics of well-known website Worldometer.
Besides Dow University in Pakistan there are several other medical institutions and companies around the world that are in a race to prepare ‘the vaccine’ for coronavirus cure. But none so far has achieved the goal of developing a successful vaccine.
Johnson & Jonhson plans for coronavirus vaccine
On March 30, Johnson & Johnson planned to initiate Phase 1 clinical trials for its coronavirus vaccine candidate by September, telling investors that the vaccine could be ready for emergency use at the beginning of the next year. Also, the company has reportedly said that it plans to increase its manufacturing capabilities to prepare the vaccine. J&J stated it is “committed to bringing an affordable vaccine to the public on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use.”
Right now there is no specific medication or cure for coronavirus. However, WHO recommends these actions for self-care.
If you have mild symptoms, stay at home until you’ve recovered. You can relieve your symptoms if you:
- rest and sleep
- keep warm
- drink plenty of liquids
- use a room humidifier or take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough
