Scientists in the US have developed a rapid COVID-19 test that can accurately detect all current variants of SARS-CoV-2 within hours. The test, CoVarScan, detects the signatures of eight hotspots on the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.The researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in the US tested CoVarScan on samples collected … Read more
COVID-19 positive outpatients are at a far increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders compared with those who tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study. The researchers found that those who had tested positive for COVID-19 were at a much higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and ischaemic stroke. The study, presented on … Read more
The researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in the US assessed the antibody response to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in detail in people. Antibodies produced by immune cells become steadily more formidable and precisely targeted against the SARS-CoV-2 virus for at least six months after COVID-19 vaccination, according to a study. The researchers at Washington … Read more
The research, published recently in the journal Nature, suggests that these drugs are more potent when used in combination than individually. Combining the antiviral remdesivir or molnupiravir with the experimental drug brequinar blocks the reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that causes COVID-19, in lung cells and in mice, according to a study. The research, published … Read more
Announcing the test results of the study, Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said that 100% of test serum samples showed neutralisation of the Delta variant and more than 90% of serum samples showed neutralisation of the Omicron variant. Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin booster shot can neutralise both Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus, a … Read more
Even as India’s Covid-19 public immunisation drive crossed a milestone with over half the population getting at least one dose of the vaccine, the Centre has made RT-PCR test mandatory for passengers travelling to India from seven more countries, including China and South Africa. Amid reports of new SARS-CoV-2 virus strains emerging, the ministry of … Read more
WHO supports studies based on neutralizing antibody tests as they are critical for understanding infection’s extent and risk factors. By Jatin Mahajan, US Centre for Disease Control has recommended a 3rd dose of the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccine for developing adequate antibodies amongst immunocompromised people. Some experts recommend a 3rd dose of Covishield six … Read more
The Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test is easy-to-use, and people can take the test by using a simple nasal swab (not the deep nasopharyngeal swab) while following the Instructions for Use steps on pack. Abbott has announced the launch of Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in adults and children with … Read more
Kappa variant found in few samples is of not much concern Two Coronavirus variants that are now the talk of the health circle are the dominant Delta variant and the newly identified Kappa variant. The results of the Uttar Pradesh government’s genome sequencing of the SARS-Cov-2 virus is out and it suggests out of 109 … Read more
In October 2020, the FDA authorised Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay to test individuals without symptoms given the sensitivity and accuracy. While vaccine-related developments have certainly been a hallmark of rapid technology development in the last year, developments on the testing front have mostly gone unnoticed. Given the experience with earlier SARS infections, countries could scale up … Read more