Controlling Coronavirus Infection: ‘Plan B’ Based on Non-vaccine / Drug Interventions

Title:Controlling Coronavirus Infection: ‘Plan B’ Based on Non-vaccine / Drug Interventions

Volume: 2 Issue: 11

Author(s): Ram Kumar Dhaked*

Affiliation:

• Biotechnology Division, Defence Research & Development Establishment, Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India, Jhansi Road, Gwalior - 474002,India

Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus (2019-n CoV), drug interventions, vaccine, immune system, non-drug/vaccine

Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic affected over 227 countries with more than 147 million infections that claimed 31.22 lacs lives. The first case of the pandemic was reported from China in Dec, 2019 showing pneumonia like symptoms that turned out to be the novel strain of coronavirus (2019-n- CoV). The WHO declared 2019-nCoV infection as the Public Health Emergency of International Concern and the disease named coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The infection curve of the pandemic has been flattened in many countries around the world, but the effective new antiviral drugs or vaccine has not yet developed. So far, we are saved by non-pharmaceutical interventions like handwashing, social distancing, quarantine, masks and health-care workers by personal protective equipments. Now the question arises that what we do if no effective drug or vaccine emerges? In the absence of effective drug/vaccines, pandemic has to be fought at community level not at hospitals. For such emergent situations, we need a ‘Plan B’ based non-vaccine/drug interventions.

Cite this article as:

Dhaked Kumar Ram *, Controlling Coronavirus Infection: ‘Plan B’ Based on Non-vaccine / Drug Interventions, Coronaviruses 2021; 2 (11) : e310821191744 . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2666796702666210223155638