New York to start coronavirus treatment trial using plasma of recovered patients

New York State Department of Health is reportedly planning to collect plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients and inject antibody-rich fluid into patients suffering from viral infection. New York Goverr Andrew Cuomo anunced plan on March 23 saying it will begin on a trial basis on seriously critical patients.

During a press briefing, Goverr Cuomo said that New York State Department of Health has been working on it with some of New York's “best health care ncies”. Cuomo ded that old- idea, which was also used during Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, has shown promise and y will be starting trial from this week.

"re have been tests that show when a person is injected with antibodies, that n stimulates and promotes ir immune system against that disease," Cuomo said. 

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Combination drugs for treatment

New York is worst-hit state by vel coronavirus which has reported over 23,000 confirmed cases and 183 deaths till date. American state is also starting drug trials with combination of Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, and Zithromax, antibiotic, which has been approved by Food and Drug ministration (FDA) for compassionate care use last week. US President Donald Trump h also tweeted about drug combination and said that it could “biggest game-changers”.

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However, independent experts have questioned its proven safety and effectiveness through large scale clinical trials and cautioned that testing off label drugs on human patients may have side effects like vision and hearing loss, heart problems, and even death for an unproven benefit. Eugene Gu, a US physician, tweeted claiming re is only anecdotal evidence from case reports in countries overseas and promising those drugs as miracle drugs give false hope.

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