re: OT: Alabama Coronavirus Thread (see link in OP for case numbers and death totals in AL)

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If enough clearing/destabilization is able to occur across the warm sector in AL/MS to get vigorous updraft and thunderstorm development, sufficient shear is in place to support organized storms with a threat of large hail and damaging winds. SPC is considering a watch.

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Stock trading was briefly halted Thursday for California-based Gilead Sciences, after a draft report said the company's experimental coronavirus treatment disappointed in a recent drug trial.

Shares continued to slump, even after the biotech company moved quickly to dispute the findings of the World Health Organization study into the effectiveness of its anti-viral drug, remdesivir. The results were accidentally published online, before being taken down.

Gilead’s statement helped steady afternoon trading.

“We believe the post included inappropriate characterizations of the study. Importantly, because this study was terminated early due to low enrollment, it was underpowered to enable statistically meaningful conclusions,” the company said in a statement.

“It went on to describe the early results as “inconclusive,” and added: “Trends in the data suggest a potential benefit for remdesivir, particularly among patients treated early in disease.”

According to earlier reporting by NBC News, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found the drug improved breathing in some patients, though only 53 people were involved in the study.

In the majority of the patients — 68 percent — doctors were able to reduce the amount of oxygen support needed. In addition, 17 of 30 patients who had been on ventilators were able to come off those machines — a key factor, since COVID-19 patients who need to be put on ventilators appear to be more likely to suffer long-term health consequences, and may have worse outcomes.

Gilead’s shares have taken a rollercoaster ride in recent weeks as Wall Street clings to any hope that a treatment can be found for the deadly virus. Last week, stock soared by 13 percent after STAT news reported that a Chicago hospital treating coronavirus patients with remdesivir in a trial were recovering rapidly from severe symptoms.

COVID-19 does not have a vaccine or a treatment, and scientists are racing to figure out ways to assist patients suffering from the previously unseen virus. Another treatment, hydroxychloroquine, promoted from the White House by President Donald Trump, has seen mixed results and, in some cases, deaths.

Investors have said that news of an effective treatment or vaccine would be needed for stocks to mount a sustainable comeback.

“Remdesivir sounds like something that can get people out of hospitals quickly,” CNBC's Jim Cramer said in a tweet last week. “That allows our economy to have a fighting chance. I think that remdesivir would cut the morbidity ... which would change how quickly we can open... and what we can do.”

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A potential antiviral drug for the coronavirus has reportedly failed in its first randomised clinical trial.

There had been widespread hope that remdesivir could treat Covid-19.

But a Chinese trial showed that the drug had not been successful, according to draft documents accidentally published by the World Health Organization.

The drug did not improve patients' condition or reduce the pathogen's presence in the bloodstream, it said.

The US firm behind the drug, Gilead Sciences, said the document had mischaracterised the study.

What do we know about the study?

News of the failed trial spread after the WHO posted details on its clinical trials database, before it was removed. The WHO has since confirmed the draft report was mistakenly uploaded.

It showed that researchers studied 237 patients, administering the drug to 158 and comparing their progress with the remaining 79, who received a placebo.

After a month, 13.9% of the patients taking the drug had died compared to 12.8% of those receiving the placebo. The trial was stopped early because of side-effects.

"Remdesivir was not associated with clinical or virological benefits," the summary states.

All three main US stock indexes fell back from gains of over 1% after the news broke over the trial.

What has the company said?

Gilead has disputed the WHO post.

"We believe the post included inappropriate characterisations of the study," a spokesman for Gilead said, adding that it was terminated early due to low enrolment and was therefore not statistically meaningful.

"As such, the study results are inconclusive, though trends in the data suggest a potential benefit for remdesivir, particularly among patients treated early in disease," he said.

This does not spell the end of the road for the drug, however, and several continuing trials will soon provide a clearer picture on the drug's use.

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Look upthread and you'll see the part of the relief bill that rewards having more COVID deaths.

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Unfortunately, not a single potential treatment for this looks like it will make much difference so far. Hopefully, some scientists have something we haven't heard much about that will be more effective.

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ABC 33/40 News
@abc3340
Police in south Alabama say there's been a spike in suicide attempts since the pandemic began. If you or a loved one needs help, do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

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nterestingly, the leaseholders for the company owned locations agreed to let them out of their leases in exchange for leaving all of the restaurant equipment in the buildings in place.

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