Russia is planning to begin clinical trials within the next two weeks to develop a vaccine to combat the novel coronavirus, the health minister reported on Saturday. Russia is currently the third-worst affected country by COVID-19, with 396,575 positive cases in the contry on Sunday. "The tests are under way and we plan to start clinical trials in the next two weeks," Health Minister Mikhail Murashko was quoted by a local news agency. According to the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the Health Ministry has also given the go-ahead to Avifavir for COVID-19 treatment. Avidavir has been reported successful in the first stage by RDIF who hopes it will also prove to be successful in the final stage, with the participation of 330 patients.

Source: dna May 31, 2020 07:18 UTC