Forbes notes continued emergence of new vaccines in the meantime is “a good thing”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas continues to use the antiviral drug remdesivir in severe COVID-19 cases despite a lack of consensus among the global health society on its use, according to National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Director Dr Nikkiah Forbes.
In an interview with
Eyewitness News, Forbes explained that while a clinical study into the drug has been completed and recommendations made, there remains mixed results based upon other trials of the drug.
She noted that The Bahamas was enrolled as a World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial participant through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.
Why testing for COVID-19 is still important Share Updated: 3:11 AM CST Mar 5, 2021 Naomi Thomas and Deidre McPhillips, CNN
Why testing for COVID-19 is still important Share Updated: 3:11 AM CST Mar 5, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript RACE BETWEEN THE VACCINES AND TO DO ANY PRODUCTIVE ACTION WE NEED TO ACTUALLY BE LOOKING FOR TOP OF THEM. KIM: THREE COVID VARIANTS ALREADY IDENTIFIED HERE IN MARYLAND. THAT S WHY GOVERNOR HOGAN ANNOUNCED THE STATE IS MORE THAN DOUBLING THEIR SEQUENCING OF THE VIRUS FOR POSITIVE COVID TESTS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH JOHNS HOPKINS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND. INCREASING THE SEQUENCING ALLOWS US TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT DIFFERENT FORMS OF THE VIRUS ARE CIRCULATING IN MARYLAND. THOSE KEY SEQUENCES WILL BE IF WE NEED TO MAKE A BOOSTER DOSE OF VACCINE. KIM: AS OF NOW DOCTORS SAY THE CURRENT VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE AGAINST ALL OF THE KNOWN MUTATIONS. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY IN MOST OF THE 60 CONFIRMED VARIANT
As Americans get vaccinated, fewer are getting tested for COVID-19. Doctors say that could be a big problem. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY
Replay Video UP NEXT
Public heath experts have been critical of states such as Texas and Mississippi that tossed aside mask mandates this week at a critical juncture in the nation s pandemic.
But they also warn of another threat to hard-fought gains in recent weeks – the number of Americans getting tested for coronavirus has dropped significantly since January.
While the testing slowdown may be the result of fewer infections, it also might signal too many Americans are growing complacent as the second year of COVID-19 marches on and millions get vaccinated every week.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn t happen this week
The Associated Press
FacebookTwitterEmail 8
1of8FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2020 file photo, pipes to be used for the Keystone XL pipeline are stored in a field near Dorchester, Neb. On Friday, March 5, 2021, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi bought $1.5 million in “foreign oil stock” before President Joe Biden halted the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. The House Speaker filed a Periodic Transaction Report on Jan. 21, 2021, which disclosed stock shares or call options made by her husband, Paul Pelosi. There are no oil companies listed on the form. (Chris Machian/Omaha World-Herald via AP)Chris Machian/APShow MoreShow Less