FDA moved “very expeditiously,” governor says.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reported that coronavirus drug trials will begin in his state on Tuesday in an attempt to control the pandemic’s impact on the state.
As of Monday afternoon, New York, the hardest hit state in the U.S., had 20,875 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The governor said the state has acquired 70,000 doses of hydrochloroquine, 10,000 doses of Zithromax and 750,000 doses of chloroquine. Zithromax, or zithromycin, is an antibiotic, the other two are antimalerial drugs.
“I want to thank the [Food and Drug Administration] for moving very expeditiously to get us this supply – the president ordered the FDA to move and the FDA moved,” Governor Cuomo said. “The president is optimistic about these drugs and we are all optimistic that it could work. I have spoken with a number of health officials and there is a good basis to believe that they could work.
“Some health officials point to Africa, which has a very low infection rate,” he added. “There is a theory that because they are taking this antimalarial drug in Africa, it may actually be one of the reasons why the infection rate is low in Africa. We don’t know, but let’s find out and let’s find out quickly.”
During his press conference, the governor also urged the FDA to start approving serological testing for coronavirus antibodies, by testing the blood of those who have recovered.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- That the combination of antimalerial medication and antibiotics could prove to be the vital weapon in the battle against the coronavirus.
- For laboratories around the globe who are working on finding cures or vaccines to address the pandemic.
Sources: Politico, Fox News
