The ATI sections in Europe could reach the limit. A treatment is effective so far against severe cases of COVID

Many European cities are facing a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who need care in intensive care units, which in the coming weeks could reach capacity limits, the director general of the World Organization of the Health. ), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, cited by EFE.

“Last week, the number of cases (of COVID-19) was three times higher than during the first peak in March,” he says.

Regarding the therapies, Tedros mentioned that dexamethasone is currently the only treatment that has been shown to be effective in severe cases of COVID-19, a statement that comes shortly after the WHO announced results below expectations for four therapies tested to world level in study called “Solidarity”.

“In June we announced that we would discontinue the hydroxychloroquine studies, in July we reported that we would not use more patients for the lopinavir / ritonavir trials, and now preliminary results show that two other test drugs, remdesivir and interferon, have little to no effect. in reducing mortality from COVID-19, ”said the WHO Director-General.

But he added that the “Solidarity” study will be continued for the clinical trials carried out in it and around 2,000 patients will be recruited monthly, pointing out that treatments with monoclonal antibodies or other antiviral drugs could also be tested.

For her part, the WHO technical director for COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said that while the increase in cases and hospitalizations in Europe is worrying, “we are not in the same situation as six months ago, as we now know more “. about this disease. “” Diagnostic capacity has increased, health workers are more trained and experienced, and there is a public awareness of what needs to be done to protect ourselves, so we must put all of this together to help control the disease. pandemic, “he said.