The world is now several months into the “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)” global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. As lockdown restrictions slowly begin to lift in certain regions, the pursuit for a safe and effective vaccine against the virus continues – and more research groups are joining the efforts.
Over the course of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented global crisis, resulting in a devastating death toll and threatening our economic order and societal structures. It started in late 2019 and now has infected more than 200 countries and territories. On 20th June 2020, WHO has reported globally 8,525,042 confirmed cases (Americas- 4,163,813; Europe- 2,509,750; Eastern Mediterranean 878,428; South-East Asia- 560,825; Africa- 208,535; Western Pacific- 203,490) including 456,973 deaths over time.
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has substantial health, social, and economic impacts in all countries, rich and poor. It is a sharp reminder that everyone everywhere should have access to quality and affordable health services. We will be living with COVID-19 and its consequences for a long time to come.
Humans are blessed with the clinical research industry. This industry is working around the clock efficiently to find the treatment or cure for COVID 19. There are so many clinical trials that are ongoing in the whole world to get a permanent treatment for this novel coronavirus.
The World Health Organization recognizes that, as of July 9, there are over 140 vaccines in various stages of development. Some are being fast-tracked by regulatory authorities, whilst others remain at the very early stages of pre-clinical testing.
Clinical research industry has escalated the efforts in the development of vaccines against COVID 19. The pharmaceutical industry and research sectors are working to develop the prophylactic vaccine by using different platforms including mRNA, DNA, adenoviral vector, and recombinant protein. We at ProRelix Research are feeling privileged in supporting some of the industrial efforts through our clinical research services.
Health systems has now been facing the dual challenge of responding to the outbreak and maintaining routine services which we have never thought that we would be facing.
COVID-19 demands that we think about global protection and calls for a renewed and urgent focus on specific public health systems to overcome this critical situation that mankind has been facing now. This includes special attention to disease surveillance, laboratories and diagnosis, health information systems, communications about changing behaviors, engagement of communities, and building public trust in the health system.
COVID-19 is a global crisis requiring sustained international solidarity and action. Strengthening our community and health care system has an important role to play in bringing partners together on a joint vision for resilient health systems and priority actions.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, a new norm is emerging where we share information across countries, collectively coordinate resources, and work jointly for the survival of the human race. And more importantly, live on a planet where we don’t mess with nature. Hopefully, we find the balance and make sure that we don’t overconsume what we have given, we spend more time with our families and take care of our health more.
References:
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32365466/
2. https://covid19.who.int/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32295814/
4. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/global-research-on-novelcoronavirus-2019-ncov/solidarity-clinical-trial-for-covid-19-treatments
5. http://apjai-journal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1.pdf
6. file:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/novel-coronavirus-landscape-covid-19-24062020.pdf
7. https://www.who.int/health-topics/international-health-regulations#tab=tab_1
8. https://www.who.int/health-topics/common-goods-for-health#tab=tab_1
