US scientists discover new drug that may prevent Covid-19

In what is being touted as a breakthrough, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, North Carolina among others say they are working on a drug that can prevent people from contracting Covid-19 as well as treat people who have been infected.

The Medical Center team said that they are yet to test the antibody-based drug on humans but the molecule has been 'highly effective' in preventing the virus in mice and hamsters.

Describing the potential treatment dubbed Ab8 in the journal Cell, researchers say the drug could be made available before the vaccine is released sometime in 2021.

Additionally, the UPMC doctors said this treatment 'won't have any negative side-effects in people,' which may not be true of a potential vaccine.