WHO begins seeing positive data in coronavirus treatment options

The World Health Organization says some coronavirus treatments appear to be showing promise and that it is focusing on researching the four or five most-promising therapies.

“We do have some treatments that seem to be in very early studies limiting the severity or the length of the illness but we do not have anything that can kill or stop the virus,” said WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said Tuesday.

Clinical data has shown promise in the Gilead Sciences produced Remdesivir, as have several studies that focus on combinations of antiviral medications.

The WHO has cautioned against expectations of a vaccine, saying that coronaviruses are “very tricky,” and “difficult to produce vaccines against.”

Also on Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told the Senate Health committee that the U.S. is focused on the development of seven or eight vaccines by domestic pharmaceutical companies.

The WHO spokeswoman also said Africa has a “big advantage” over other countries in responding to the pandemic. She said the continent is well prepared with testing and contact-tracing methods for the outbreak of a new pathogen.

The group has been met with some criticism for its handling of the pandemic, especially from President Trump, who has threatened to defund it. Trump and others around the world are raising concerns about whether the group shielded China from blame for not letter other countries promptly know about the start of the virus outbreak.

The WHO has announced that they will conduct an “after-action” review of its pandemic performance that will include a “free and frank” discussion about the Geneva-based organization’s efforts.