Researchers Discover New Drug That Completely Suppresses Transmission of COVID

As we approach the tail end of 2020, many Americans are looking for a miracle.

We’ve been in the grips of a horrific and all-encompassing pandemic for nearly 9 months now, and the death toll is isn’t limited to just those who’ve contracted COVID-19.  Researchers are now finding that suicides, depression, and drug addiction are on the rise on account of the bleakness of the situation, and the small business economy is on the verge of a collapse.

And while there are some promising vaccines on the horizon, they aren’t going to be available to everyone until at least the middle of next year, if not longer.  Furthermore, only about 60% of the nation seems willing to even take a vaccine when it becomes available.

There is new hope out of Atlanta, however.

Researchers at Georgia State University say they have discovered a new antiviral drug that completely suppresses transmission of COVID-19 within 24 hours.

The drug, called Molnupiravir (MK-4482/EIDD-2801), is taken orally as a pill.

“This is the first demonstration of an orally available drug to rapidly block SARS-CoV-2 transmission,” Plemper said. “MK-4482/EIDD-2801 could be game-changing.”
Plemper said the drug rapidly shuts down the replication of the virus in the body, derailing it to the point that the person is no longer contagious and can’t spread to other people.

As an added bonus, the drug appears to work for those who’ve contracted the disease as well.

“From our animal model data, the drug will reduce the likelihood that a patient progresses to severe disease from viral pneumonia to potentially lethal consequences of COVID-19, so that’s a direct benefit to the patient,” Plemper said.

The news comes just days after Pfizer announced that their vaccine’s rollout will likely be hampered by unforeseen supply chain issues.