London has suffered plagues, saturation aerial bombings, and campaigns of terror before. The latest threat to the greater London population of 9.3 million is the SARS-CoV-2 virus too tiny to comprehend. More than 2% of Londoners have the infection and the ‘R’ rate is 1.4. Today we investigate whether a new antibody trial offers London some hope. And many cities in U.S. fighting second surges too.
New Antibody Trial Offers London Some Hope with Post-Infection Jab
The trial uses a monoclonal antibody treatment developed by drug company AstraZeneca to deactivate the virus immediately. Similar trials are in the pipeline, although University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Trust is the only one running. The experimental post-infection jab has been given to 10 volunteers. They have been in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case within the past eight days.
Therefore, it’s reasonably safe to assume they have the virus brewing in their bodies. Researchers want to see how effective the injection antibodies are at halting the process. And whether the prediction is true the protection could last as long as a year. For if it does, then the new antibody trial offers London some hope and around the world.
But That’s Only Part of the Solution for London and Elsewhere Too
The trial is still in the formative stages, with UCLH virologist Dr. Catherine Houlihan hoping to recruit 1,000 volunteers for the first full trial. The jab works by ‘donating antibodies,’ she explained to BBC. ‘So it skips out that stage of your body doing the work to make them.’ Similar post exposure-treatments are in use for other viruses like rabies, and chickenpox in pregnant mothers.
This new treatment could be a huge bonus for first responders, and health care workers in the field. It could be heaven-sent for people unable to receive the proactive vaccine starting to roll out. However, the long-term solution is to stop the virus spreading. We must become more aware of the full cycle of our breathing.
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Antibody Tests as Checks for Past Infections
Preview Image: This is serious (Mayor of London)
