Coronavirus world round-up: arthritis drug may aid coronavirus fight

George Floyd protests may lead to second wave; Saudi Arabia calls for funds to support Yemen; South America begins easing restrictions

Protesters gather in Los Angeles over the death of George Floyd, but fears persist that a lack of social distancing will lead to a fresh outbreak of the novel coronavirus
Protesters gather in Los Angeles over the death of George Floyd, but fears persist that a lack of social distancing will lead to a fresh outbreak of the novel coronavirus Credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP

An arthritis drug may be a life-saving coronavirus treatment and reduce the need for patients to be placed on ventilators, according to French doctors.

The doctors administered anakinra, an anti-inflammatory drug normally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, to 52 Covid-19 patients at the Saint-Joseph public hospital in Paris between March 24 and April 6 and compared their progress with that of 44 historical coronavirus patients at the hospital who were not treated with the drug.

Thirteen (25 per cent) of the patients injected subcutaneously with anakinra either died or had to be placed on ventilators, compared with 32 patients (73 per cent) in the historical group.  

"Anakinra reduced both [the] need for invasive mechanical ventilation in the ICU and mortality among patients with severe forms of Covid-19, without serious side effects," the 17 doctors who carried out the study said in a joint article published in The Lancet.

However, perhaps mindful of ongoing international controversies over whether the anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine and other drugs are effective against coronavirus, the doctors said further research was needed, adding: "Confirmation of efficacy will require controlled trials."

Fresh hope in the fight against the virus: Arthritis drug may aid coronavirus fight, French doctors say

Meanwhile, the coronavirus has now infected more than 6.27 million people worldwide and has claimed more than 377,000 lives.

The United States remains the hardest hit country, with a death toll of 107,000, more than three times higher than that of any other country. Fears persist that the mass protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, will lead to another spike in infections. 

Fears George Floyd protests could lead to another outbreak

A crowd marching to protest the death of George Floyd gathers outside of US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
A crowd marching to protest the death of George Floyd gathers outside of US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota Credit: Getty

The protests over the death of George Floyd could lead to a new outbreak of coronavirus cases, experts warned.

Political leaders appealed for calm and had masks handed out to demonstrators, warning those without that they were putting themselves at risk.

Keisha Lance Bottoms, mayor of Atlanta, said: "If you were out protesting last night you probably need to go get a Covid test this week.

"There is still a pandemic in America that's killing black and brown people at higher numbers."

The protests came at a time when when many cities were beginning to relax stay-at-home orders.

Bradley Pollock, chairman of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California, Davis, said: "Whether they're fired up or not that doesn't prevent them from getting the virus."

In Minnesota, where Mr Floyd died, the governor Tim Walz said too many protesters were not socially distancing or wearing masks.

Call for $2.3 billion emergency fund to support Yemen

Saudi Arabia seeks to raise $2.3 billion (£1.84 billion) from an emergency donor conference on Tuesday to support war-battered Yemen as it faces a coronavirus catastrophe in the sixth year of the kingdom's military intervention.

The virtual conference, which Riyadh is co-hosting with the United Nations, comes as aid groups warn that the fast-spreading virus could wreak havoc after years of war and amid crippling funding shortages.

"A total of $2.3 billion is being sought to cover emergency requirements in Yemen across multiple humanitarian sectors, including medical, food and shelter assistance," a Saudi government statement said.

Britain, a leading arms supplier to Saudi Arabia, stepped in on Tuesday with a new aid package for Yemen worth £160 million ($200 million).

"This targeted UK aid package will mean the difference between life and death for thousands of Yemenis who now also face the threat of coronavirus," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.

South American countries ease restrictions despite daily rise in cases

South American countries on Monday began easing Covid-19 restrictions even as the region hurtles toward its viral peak, disregarding the example set by European nations that were battered earlier by the virus.

Some of Brazil's hardest hit cities, including the jungle metropolis Manaus and coastal Rio de Janeiro, are starting to allow more activity. Bolivia's government authorised reopening most of the country and the government of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro unwound restrictions. Ecuador's airports were resuming flights and shoppers returning to some of Colombia's malls.

Children stand in a field keeping their distance  waiting for a Children's Day gift, in Yaruqui near Quito, Ecuador
Children stand in a field keeping their distance  waiting for a Children's Day gift, in Yaruqui near Quito, Ecuador Credit: AP

Rolling back measures runs counter to Europe's approach of waiting for the worst to pass before resuming activity, and South America trails much further behind on its viral curve. Even European nations that lifted restrictions earliest in their respective outbreaks - the UK and Russia - did so only after clearing their initial peaks.

Data from the WHO's Pan American Health Organization shows the region's seven-day rolling average of new cases continues rising, due in large part to Brazil, which accounts for more than half the total.

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