Are we heading towards a significant reduction in the death cases linked to the Coronavirus pandemic? Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says it does.
A pill developed by the bio-pharmaceutical company can treat patients with COVID 19. This tablet is 89% effective if taken within 72 hours after patients develop symptoms of coronavirus, according to the results of a research release on Friday, November 5, 2021.
A study conducted on more than 1,200 patients at high risk of developing serious illness from the COVID-19 pandemic shows that patients who took Pfizer’s pills are much more likely to survive than those who received the placebo.
Of the 1,200 patients who received the tablet no cases of death were recorded, while 10 patients among those who received placebo died, according to a statement released by Pfizer.
It should also be noted that the placebo was never intended to treat cases of coronavirus. It is a mere “therapeutic process that has no specific or specific efficacy but acts on the patient through psychological and physiological mechanisms. “The placebo effect is more than a positive thought – believing that a treatment or a procedure will work. It’s about creating a stronger connection between the brain and the body and the way they work together, ”said Professor Ted Kaptchuk of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, an affiliate institute of Harvard University.
According to the CEO of the Pfizer group, if this drug is authorized, it would “eliminate 9 out of 10 hospitalizations”.
Although many infectious disease experts have given their approval, this new finding has not yet been the subject of debate among specialists in the field, some doctors say.
Asked about this finding, Associate Executive Dean at Emory University and global health expert Dr. Carlos Del Rio praised the results of this research. “Having oral therapy is of critical importance,” said Dr. Del Rio, quoted in an article published by ABC News. For her part, Dr. Simone Wildes, a physician specializing in infectious diseases, was also delighted by this discovery. “If we can get patients to start treatment early before they progress to serious illness and sadly death, everyone wins in the fight against COVID,” Wildes told ABC News on Friday. However, these two experts urge the population to continue to be vaccinated. The pill can, in no way, replace vaccines against the coronavirus, they pointed out.
Since its onset in 2019, the Corona pandemic has already caused immeasurable damage. More than 5 million cases of death and 250 million infections have been recorded worldwide. The United States tops the list with 754,000 deaths and 46.4 million infections, followed by India 461,000 deaths and Brazil: 609,000 deaths. These figures represent the number of deaths per capita for each country.
According to data released by Bloomberg, only 50.9% of the world’s population have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The United Arab Emirates come first with 97% vaccination rate, followed by Portugal and Cuba: 89%, Chile: 86%, Cambodia: 82. Uncle Sam’s country is in 15th position with only 62% .
According to infectious disease experts, to stem the pandemic, herd immunity of 70% should be achieved. A goal not easy to achieve.