14
kilkennyobserver.ie
The Kilkenny Observer Friday 12 November 2021
Covid Update
THE first pill designed to treat symptomatic Covid has been approved by the UK medicines regulator. Developed jointly by Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Merck, the pill works by interfering with the virus’ replication. This prevents it from multiplying, keeping virus levels low in the body and therefore reducing the severity of the disease, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said. It can also be administered outside of a hospital. The MHRA said the decision “follows a rigorous review of its safety, quality and effectiveness” and made it the “first oral antiviral for the treatment of Covid-19 to be approved.” Based on the clinical trial data, the oral pill is most effective when taken during the early stages of infection. As such, the British regulator recommended its use as soon as possible following a positive Covid test and within five days of the onset of symptoms. The antiviral pill has been authorised for use in people who have mild to moderate Covid and at least one risk factor for developing severe illness, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, or heart disease and anyone over the age of 60. In a statement UK Health secretary, Sajid Javid, said, “This will be a gamechanger for the most vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, who will soon be able to receive the ground-breaking treatment.”
Game-changing pill could turn tide against current wave of Covid-19 The MHRA’s chief executive, June Raine, said that the pill will greatly facilitate the treatment of Covid, a disease that has led to the hospitalization of millions of people around the world, and immense stress on health services and healthcare staff. “Following a rigorous review of the data by our expert scientists and clinicians, we are satisfied that Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is safe and effective for those at risk of developing severe Covid-19 disease and
have granted its approval,” she said. “Lagevrio is another therapeutic to add to our armoury against Covid-19. It is also the world’s first approved antiviral for this disease that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously. This is important, because it means it can be administered outside of a hospital setting, before Covid-19 has progressed to a severe stage,” she said. Merck and Ridgeback Bio-
therapeutics said that internal data indicated that the risk of hospitalisation or death from Covid was cut in half by molnupiravir. Patients take four pills twice a day for five days. Treatments to tackle the pandemic, which has killed more than 5.2 million people worldwide, have so far focused mainly on vaccines. Other options, including Gilead’s (GILD.O) infused antiviral remdesivir and generic steroid dexamethasone, are generally only given after a
Rising cases postpone Business Awards KILKENNY Chamber of Commerce has postponed its annual Business Awards event in the face of rising Covid-19 infections. Colin Ahern, President of Kilkenny Chamber, said, “In the interest of public health, Kilkenny Chamber considers it prudent to move the date for hosting our annual flagship event, the Kilkenny Business Awards. The decision was taken in close consultation with the venue, Lyrath Estate Hotel, and being mindful of the health and safety of participants, staff, and attendees.
We are delighted to have the continued support of our title sponsor, TransferMate.” The Kilkenny Business Awards 2021 ceremony will be on February 26th, 2022, when local business people will gather to network, dine, and celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation and resilience in Kilkenny. 51 local enterprises have been shortlisted for the Kilkenny Business Awards 2021 and participated in the peer-review round on October 20th. Each finalist had the opportunity to share their
success stories with 18 prominent local business people who adjudicated on the winning businesses. The top business in each category has been selected and will remain sealed until the Kilkenny Business Awards take place on the new date. John Hurley, CEO of Kilkenny Chamber, said, “The resilience that Kilkenny businesses have shown throughout the pandemic has been remarkable. Kilkenny Chamber is looking forward to gathering in February to celebrate the achievements and successes
in the business community this year. I know that there is much anticipation among the finalists keen to learn who the winners are. Whilst it is disappointing to postpone our plans, this is the correct course of action to ensure the safety of all involved.” Presented by broadcaster Helen Carroll, the overall Business of the Year will be unveiled at the rescheduled ceremony along with the 18 category winners and the coveted President’s Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
Massive fall in life expectancy, reports OECD COVID-19 contributed to a 16% increase in the expected number of deaths in 2020 and the first half of 2021 across OECD countries. Life expectancy fell in 24 of 30 countries with comparable data, with drops particularly large in the US (-1.6 years) and Spain (-1.5 years), according to the new OECD Health at a Glance
report. The mental health impact of the pandemic has been huge, with prevalence of anxiety and depression more than double levels observed pre-crisis in most countries with available data, most notably in Mexico, the UK and the US. Covid-19 has also had a major indirect impact on
people not infected with the virus. For example, breast cancer screening fell by an average of 5% in 2020 compared to 2019, across OECD countries with available data. The median number of days on a waiting list increased on average by 58 days for hip replacement, and 88 days for knee replacement in 2020, as com-
pared to 2019. The pandemic has also underscored the impact of unhealthy lifestyles, with smoking, harmful alcohol use and obesity increasing the risk of people dying from Covid-19. Yet spending on disease prevention remains relatively low, accounting for only 2.7% of all health spending on average.
patient has been hospitalised. Merck’s Molnupiravir has been closely watched since data last month showed it could halve the chances of dying or being hospitalised for those most at risk of developing severe Covid-19 when given early in the illness. Molnupiravir works by reducing the rate at which Covid-19 multiplies in the body and keeps levels low, resulting in reduced severity of the virus. Merck is the first company
to report trial results of a pill to treat Covid, but other companies are working on similar treatments. Its US rival Pfizer has started trials of two different antiviral tablets, while Swiss company Roche is working on a similar medication. In a separate statement, Merck said it expected to produce 10 million courses of the treatment by the end of this year, with at least 20 million set to be manufactured in 2022.
Over 44k cases reported in fortnight THE latest data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre reveals the highest number of Covid-19 patients in hospital since March 1. Data compiled up to November 7, puts Ireland’s 14-day incidence of Covid-19 at 895 cases for every 100,000 people. Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said, “We have reported over 44,000 cases in the past 14 days. “The volume of disease in the community is really very high and represents a significant risk to those who are most vulnerable in our society. “We need to continue to use all of the tools available to us to protect ourselves and others. By layering all of the public health measures with which we are now so familiar, we can help to break the chains of transmission.” In Northern Ireland, the Department of Health has reported a further seven deaths of patients who had previously tested positive for Covid-19. At time of writing, Department of Health has been notified of 3,578 additional cases
of Covid-19. The number of patients in ICU with Covid-19 is 83, an increase of five on the same time yesterday. There are 520 patients in hospital, which is up 22 on the same time yesterday morning. It is also the highest number in hospital since 1 March, when there were 540 patients with Covid-19. The hospitals with the highest number of Covid-19 cases are St James’s in Dublin with 44, University Hospital Limerick with 37 and the Regional Hospital Mullingar with 33. There are 15 adult ICU beds free in the public system. The counties with the biggest incidence are Waterford with 1,357 cases for every 100,000 people; Carlow has 1,273 cases for every 100,000 and Leitrim has 1,189 cases for every 100,000 people. Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said the continued decline of Covid incidence in the older population is likely to be at least partly attributable to booster vaccination, alongside continuing adherence to public health measures.