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STUDENT'S MAGAZINE \

WINNING

THE COVID-19 WAR

A Comprehensive Update on Treatments,

Antivirals, and Vaccines

SIWAT RAKNGAN (# -ART 5/350)

For the past few months, COVID-19 has been ravaging the globe. Tens of thousands of lives have been
lost, social life has somewhat vanished, economies are plummeting, and yet it seems nebulous when the
crisis will cease. The rising number of cases has taken its toll on healthcare systems, with an increased
demand for workers, equipment, facilities, and funding. How long do we have to endure until the world
gets the upper hand over the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)? The answer depends largely on the
development of antivirals and vaccines.

A Silent Killer
People often make comparisons between COVID-19 and influenza (the flu). After all, both are viral
respiratory infections. They have similar routes of transmission, mainly through droplets, and share
symptoms such as fever, dry cough, fatigue, and body aches. Their resemblances explain why some
people are unconcerned with this ongoing pandemic.

Nevertheless, the two diseases are different. As of April 2, 2020, COVID-19 has a worldwide case-fatal-
ity rate1 of about 5%, which is greater than that of the seasonal flu at only 0.1%, though estimates are
constantly changing (Worldometer). This figure may decrease once the pandemic is over, but for now,
it’s deadlier than the flu. Preliminary evidence also suggests that COVID-19 patients are more likely to
be hospitalized (National Public Radio).

Moreover, COVID-19 is more contagious since a person with the disease is expected to infect 2-2.5 oth-
er people, whereas this number is 1.3 for the flu (these are called basic reproduction numbers). Initially,
this difference appears small; however, the growth is exponential. Vox provides a clear demonstration.
Suppose there are 10 rounds of transmission. By the end, a person with the flu will have spread it to
55 other people, while COVID-19 will result in a staggering 2047 cases if we use 2 as its growth factor.

Another noteworthy distinction is the incubation period—the time elapsed between exposure to the
virus and onset (appearance) of symptoms. The flu takes 1-4 days before its symptoms emerge. On the
contrary, the incubation period for COVID-19 varies considerably by case, ranging from 1-14 days.
This is what makes the disease so unsettling; perhaps you’re asymptomatic, or not presenting symp-
toms, yet you can still unknowingly transmit the virus to others. No one can be sure whether you have
the disease unless you take a screening test at a hospital—even so, these low-cost tests may be inaccurate
(FierceBiotech). Self-quarantine is a preventive measure which slows the spread of COVID-19; less so-
cial contact means less chance of getting the coronavirus or giving it to someone else.

Care Amid the Covid
The fact remains: there are currently no specific medicines or vaccines to prevent or treat COVID-19
(World Health Organization). Symptomatic treatment, also known as supportive care, is the only avail-
able option. This type of therapy addresses the symptoms but not the underlying cause (i.e. the corona-
virus).

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