Working very quickly, researchers and physicians have developed clinical trials to find effective treatments for this disease. Clinical trials for potential COVID-19 treatments are now open in many locations in the United States and in other countries. If you have been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease and you join a clinical trial for patients with COVID-19, you may be able to receive these medications. Also, by joining a clinical trial, your participation will help scientists find the most effective and safe treatment for the illness. The Beat19 study, the NCI COVID-19 in Cancer Patients Study (NCCAPS), and a study at Stanford, for example, are designed to collect symptoms from people who may have COVID-19 to help researchers learn the course of the disease and help find a treatment.
Remdesivir, an antiviral medication, may be helpful in treating COVID-19 infections. The drug received an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA on May 1 and became the first FDA-approved treatment for COVID-19 on October 23, 2020. Remdesivir is approved for patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalization. It may decrease time spent hospitalized but does not prevent death.
Bamlanivimab is an antibody treatment given by vein (intravenously) that was given an FDA Emergency Use Authorization on November 9, 2020, for the treatment of people ages 12 and older who test positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and are at risk of having severe COVID-19 or hospitalization. This drug is still being studied in clinical trials, but early information seems to suggest that it may reduce hospitalizations or emergency room visits in some patients. Two more intravenous antibodies, casirivimab and imdevimab, were given FDA Emergency Use Authorization on November 21, 2020, for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk for developing more severe disease. These 2 antibodies are given together. None of these newest antibodies are for people who are receiving oxygen or who are hospitalized.
Dexamethasone, a steroid medication, can be beneficial for critically ill patients with COVID-19. A report from the U.K. Recovery Trial found that dexamethasone can help save lives in people who require oxygen therapy or are on a ventilator. In this population of very ill patients, receiving dexamethasone resulted in a lower rate of death at 28 days. The drug unfortunately does not seem to help in cases of mild disease.
Convalescent plasma is the liquid portion of blood that can be collected from people who have recovered from COVID-19. This plasma may have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Convalescent plasma is being studied in clinical trials as a possible treatment, and the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization for it on August 23. However, its benefits and risks still have not been confirmed in randomized clinical trials. If you have fully recovered from a COVID-19 infection, you may be able to donate your plasma at a blood bank in your area in order to potentially help others. Learn more about donating convalescent plasma at the websites of the Red Cross and AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks).
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) initially seemed promising as a possible treatment for COVID-19, but after various clinical trials reported data on its safety and effectiveness, this medication get more info was not found to be helpful. Hydroxychloroquine is not recommended for the treatment of COVID-19, either alone or in combination with any other drugs.
A version of chloroquine (chloroquine phosphate) is used as an additive to clean fish aquariums. Consuming this fish tank additive has led to at least 1 death and other overdoses. Do not consume this product—it can kill you.
Drinking bleach or injecting bleach or other household disinfectants is very dangerous and can kill you. Another proposed treatment to avoid is oleandrin, an extract that comes from a toxic shrub. Ingesting even a small amount of the plant can kill you. These are not treatments for COVID-19, and they will not help prevent it.
How do we return to school or work safely?
Across the country, local and state officials have worked with school systems to plan school openings. Some schools are offering only in-person education, other schools are completely virtual for some or part of the year, and others still are offering some blend of the two.
If you or your children are returning to school in person, wearing a face covering or mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times is important to lower the risk of spread. If social distancing is possible, please do so. Avoid large groups of people. Use hand sanitizer frequently and wash hands whenever possible. Stay home or keep children at home if they are sick or have a fever.
When returning to in-person work, the same rules apply. Avoid large gatherings of people, social distance as much as possible, and wear a mask at all times except briefly when eating. Clean desks and other frequently touched surfaces often with disinfectant wipes or other cleaning solution. Do not go to work when you are sick or if you have a fever.
Finally, be sure to get a flu shot. This can help protect you and those around you.
When will things return to normal?
The answer to this question is not yet known. The rates of infection from the virus have fluctuated since early 2020, but the virus has not gone away and it likely won’t anytime soon. Overall, in the United States, the number of cases of COVID-19 and the number of deaths from the virus have continued to increase. Once a vaccine is available and the majority of people are vaccinated, this will help things return to normal, but the virus and risk of infection will still exist. Masking will continue to be important for the foreseeable future.
If your local community, county, or state has allowed nonessential businesses to reopen or remain open, the best way to stay safe is to continue to stay at home and avoid being in public as much as possible. Wear cloth face masks or face coverings when you must leave your home. Continue to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently and stay at least 6 feet away from other people if you need to go to the grocery store or pharmacy or other areas where other people may be.
If you decide to eat at a restaurant that has reopened, it’s safest to eat outside, and you should still wear a mask unless you are eating or drinking. The restaurant should have social distancing measures in place, and if they don't, choose another restaurant with outdoor seating. Avoid buffets. Try not to handle a menu unless you’ve seen it cleaned first, or read the restaurant's menu online on your phone. Always wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching anything.
Many people believe that a negative COVID-19 test means that it’s safe to gather with friends or family members outside of your household. However, this is not true. It is important to remember that a negative COVID-19 test only means that the person was negative at the moment of that test. The test only gives information about the level of virus at the exact time of the test. Someone could have COVID-19 but not yet have enough virus to test positive. Also, these tests are not 100% accurate.
The safest approach, especially if you are considered high risk, is to continue living as if the stay-at-home restrictions are still in place.
If you have questions about your personal risk due to your cancer or cancer treatment, be sure to speak with your doctor for their guidance.
Where can I get the latest information about COVID-19?
Staying up to date on the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak is important. The CDC and your local and state health departments will have ongoing information about whether the disease has been diagnosed in your community.