As we prepare for lockdown, various sectors of society are gearing up to do what they can to stem the spread of the virus, and ultimately eliminate it.

As a society, we can band together to respect the rules of the lockdown, avoid panic buying so that everyone has access to basic resources, and maintain habits like regular hand washing and social distancing.

In the research sector, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Biological and Vaccines Institute of Southern Africa, and the University of Cape Town have joined forces to work on a vaccine and identify effective treatments.

This, according to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, reports News24.

He said a number of existing drugs was currently being re-purposed and tested for efficacy, adding current international trials under the co-ordination of the World Health Organisation were being monitored.

He also announced preliminary work on the development of vaccines had started.

“Progress is expected in about 18 months,” Nzimande said.

It’s quite a wait, but it’s a step towards ensuring that once this is over, it won’t happen again.

Meanwhile, the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis is working hard to produce an updated model of how the virus spreads so that we have a better understanding of how to stop it.

South Africa is also working on a plan to manufacture coronavirus tests locally, to speed up the diagnostic process.

“The DSI [Department of Science and Innovation] has negotiated the repurposing of various facilities and labs to respond to the outbreak. The entities in line to assist include Biovac, Centres of Excellence in TB Research, Centre of Proteomic and Genomic Research and Afrigen Bio.

“Discussions are underway to facilitate accreditation for some of the facilities to produce reagents. The team will be discussing budget requirements this afternoon.

“For the above projects, the Department of Science and Innovation has already availed R12 million and will redirect an additional R30 million.”

Knowledge is power, and it looks like we’re going into the next 21 days fully armed and ready to tackle the virus head-on.

[source:news24]