The UK is the first country to conduct research for healthy volunteers exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Selection of young volunteers aged 18-30 will be tested in a safe and controlled environment. This form of research has also been approved by agencies in the UK and is expected to begin in mid-March. However, this trial also raises many questions, including what is the treatment for those The participant had a serious medical condition.
How does the research process work?
About 90 adults between the age of 18 – 30 will be selected to perform 2 aspects.
- The first aspect would be to look at viral concentration to determine the smallest amount of virus needed to induce disease as well as induce an immune response. Organizers say this study will help determine how factors influence the spread of the virus, including how a person with Covid-19 can infect virus molecules. cause diseases to the environment
- Then Covid-19 vaccines that have been shown to be safe in clinical trials will be made available to groups of volunteers exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This helps to identify the immune response needed to protect people from re-infection, as well as identify the most effective vaccines.
Precautions
The viral characterization study will use the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain in the UK from March 2020, which is believed to have a “low risk” level among young people, the government said.
A team of experts will “closely monitor the effects of the virus on volunteers and will be ready to take care of them 24 hours a day”. Researchers also work closely with Royal Free Hospital and the North Central London Adult Intensive Care Network to ensure the study will not affect other Covid-19 patients.
Participant criteria: no history or symptoms of Covid-19, no underlying medical condition, and no factors that make the condition worse, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or obesity. Participants with Covid-19 will be treated with Gilead Sciences’ antiviral remdesivir after they are confirmed to be infected.
Risks may occur
Some researchers have pointed to concerns, such as the complexity of hematoma cases or the lack of effective and reliable treatments. Several people have raised concerns about the long-term effects of Covid-19 on infected persons
There will also be some misunderstanding among the public, leading to increased fear and reluctance to vaccinate, especially if a participant becomes seriously ill or dies.