A research team at Oxford University has recently found a cheap and widely available drug called dexamethasone that can be used to effectively treat severe forms of COVID-19. The 'breakthrough' drug has shown to significantly reduce the number of deaths among those seriously ill with the coronavirus. We asked experts to comment on the effectiveness of the drug in treating COVID-19.
Category: Expert Reaction
[EXPERT REACTION] CMCO to be replaced by Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) starting June 10
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that the country’s Movement Control Order (MCO) which ends on June 9, will be replaced with the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) starting from June 10 until August 31 with more relaxed conditions. This includes allowing for domestic tourism and interstate travel, except for areas placed under Enhanced MCO (EMCO). Almost all social, religious, business and educational activities are also allowed to resume in stages under strict SOPs during the RMCO. We asked experts to comment on this latest development.
[EXPERT REACTION] Can Vitamin C prevent you from catching COVID-19?
Amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, people have been stocking up on Vitamin C as they seek to boost immunity. While Vitamin C is a common remedy to cure the common cold and flu, there is no evidence to support the use of oral vitamin C supplements as prevention against the novel coronavirus. We asked experts to comment on claims that Vitamin C could protect you from catching COVID-19.
[EXPERT REACTION] Obesity risk factor for COVID-19 infection?
While the relation between obesity and COVID-19 is not fully known, there are emerging studies pointing to obesity as one of the top underlying condition for people aged 60 years old and under who are hospitalised for the coronavirus. Severe obesity reportedly increases the risk of a major COVID-19 complication known as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We asked experts to comment on obesity as a risk factor for becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 and the possible link with Kawasaki disease in children
While there are no Kawasaki cases detected among children infected by COVID-19 in the country, some children who tested positive for COVID-19 in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, and the US have reported to display overlapping symptoms of severe COVID-19, toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. We asked experts to comment about the links between COVID-19 and Kawasaki disease, a multi-system inflammatory syndrome which primarily affects children under the age of five.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 found in semen of infected men
Chinese researchers who tested the sperm of men infected with COVID-19 found that a small group of them had the new coronavirus in their semen. In a study undertaken in Shangqiu Municipal Hospital, 6 (16%) of 38 men in hospital with Covid-19, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in semen. We asked experts to comment on this latest finding.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 Blood Plasma Transfusion Treatment
While scientists race to find a vaccine for the coronavirus, countries including Malaysia are resorting to convalescent blood plasma transfusion to treat patients severely ill with COVID-19. The treatment includes administering blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to patients critically ill with the novel respiratory illness. We asked experts to comment on the effectiveness of this method to treat newly-infected patients.
[EXPERT REACTION] Conditional MCO extended to June 9
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced the conditional movement control order (MCO) will be extended for another four weeks until June 9. While several festivities such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the Kaamatan Feast and Hari Gawai will fall during this period, mass movements across state borders or 'balik kampung' would not be allowed. We asked experts to comment on the fifth extension of the MCO.
[EXPERT REACTION] COVID-19 Infection Risk: Male vs Female
There are research suggesting male are more susceptible than females to contract COVID-19. The coronavirus mortality rate also recorded a higher toll on male. In China, the death rate for men was 2.8 percent, compared to 1.7 percent for women, according to the largest analysis of cases by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We asked experts to comment on the risks of COVID-19 infection and mortality rate based on sex.
[EXPERT REACTION] Conditional MCO to Take Effect on May 4
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced the conditional movement control order (MCO) to take effect starting May 4, 2020. This allows for almost all economic sectors, business activities to resume business, subject to conditions and standard operating procedure. It includes all food and beverage outlets that are allowed to open for dine-ins, provided they adhere to conditions set by the authorities. We ask experts to respond to this latest development.
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