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THE rst 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. is 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. e MHRA said the decision “follows a rigorous review of its safety, quality and e ectiveness” and made it the “ rst 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 ve days of the onset of symptoms. e 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, “ is 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

e 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 sta .

“Following a rigorous review of the data by our expert scientists and clinicians, we are satis ed that Lagevrio (molnupiravir) is safe and e ective 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 rst approved antiviral for this disease that can be taken by mouth rather than administered intravenously. is 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 Biotherapeutics 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 ve 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 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 rst company to report trial results of a pill to treat Covid, but other companies are working on similar treatments.

Its US rival P zer has started trials of two di erent 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.

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 agship event, the Kilkenny Business Awards. e decision was taken in close consultation with the venue, Lyrath Estate Hotel, and being mindful of the health and safety of participants, sta , and attendees. We are delighted to have the continued support of our title sponsor, TransferMate.” e 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 nalist had the opportunity to share their success stories with 18 prominent local business people who adjudicated on the winning businesses. e 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, “ e 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 nalists 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 rst 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. e 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. e 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 compared to 2019. e 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.

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 O cer Dr Tony Holohan said, “We have reported over 44,000 cases in the past 14 days.

“ e volume of disease in the community is really very high and represents a signi cant 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 noti ed of 3,578 additional cases of Covid-19. e number of patients in ICU with Covid-19 is 83, an increase of ve on the same time yesterday. ere 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. e 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. ere are 15 adult ICU beds free in the public system. e 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.

Craft lovers flock to Kilkenny for Made in Ireland expo

Mark Campden, Ceramicist from Kilkenny. Photo: Dylan Vaughan

KILKENNY’S National Design & Craft Gallery is the starting point for Made in Ireland, a major exhibition showcasing the largest visual and sensory feast of fresh ideas and craftsmanship ever seen in Ireland.

Exhibits created by Kilkenny craft workers feature in the display, which incorporates the work of over 100 makers from all regions of Ireland and Northern Ireland. e exhibition, which launched on November 5, was borne out of a proposal made by the project team to the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) biennial call for exhibitions. eir aim was to bring together a snapshot of what is happening in skilled making in Ireland, to create an exhibition that is ‘big and eclectic but also surprising, joyful, and inspirational’. e open callout attracted over 420 applicants to the juried process.

CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland, Rosemary Steen said, “ e past 20 months of closures have been a di cult time for our makers and opportunities to show craft have been reduced, which makes Made in Ireland all the more timely. During this time the public have engaged more with the sustainability and authenticity of craft. Guilds, Associations, Networks and Societies (GANS) are at the heart of Design & Crafts Council Ireland and we look forward to continuing to support the development of technical and business skills, creating opportunities and promoting craft in Ireland through the work of our dedicated team.”

Project team of Made in Ireland, Mary Gallagher, Hilary Morley and Stephen O’Connell said, “It is our hope that Made in Ireland will engage with diverse audiences and build understanding of craft, design and material culture. In a desert of digital and mass manufacture, we nd this oasis of making – a tangible link to the materials and traditions of this island, to its colour, its landscape and its people.”

Exhibitors include makers of international renown as well as young, emerging artists and those who have practised quietly in areas of the country such as Clare Island, West Cork and the North Antrim Coast. Some are members of Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s Portfolio Critical Selection, while others are highly skilled makers who practise away from the spotlight and national competition.

Local exhibitors include, Jerpoint Glass Studio, Inga Reed (jewellery designer/maker), Les Reed, (ceramicist)

Mark Campden (ceramicist), Paul Bokslag (visual artist) and Caroline Scho eld (visual artist). e exhibition will run in the National Design & Craft Gallery, Kilkenny until January 30, 2022. From there it will

Inga Reed, Jewellery Designer-Maker and Les Reed, Ceramicist from Kilkenny. Photo: Dylan Vaughan

Paul Bokslag, Visual Artist from Kilkenny and Michał Tylicki of Artefakt Rugs. Photo: Dylan Vaugha