By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Plateau State Research committee on COVID 19 and other infectious diseases recently inaugurated by Governor Simon Lalong has said that 13 plants in the state have shown possible antiviral activities against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS COV 2 ).

Our correspondent reports that the Committee were given the mandate to search for the treatment and cure for the Corona Virus ,and to design treatment protocol for the disease caused by the virus .

Addressing newsmen in Jos on friday the Lead Researcher and Team Chairman Prof Noel Wannang , said that the 13 plants in the state have shown possible activities against SARS COVID 2 ,stressing that 10 of the plants have been selected based on Pharmacokinetic Parameters of their Phytochemical Constituents ,and formulated into 3 cocktails (COV- Pla 1, Covid Pla 2 and Cov Pla 3 ) , “the results may provide an important breakthrough in the field of herbal medicine .” he added .

In his words ” I am happy to inform the public that drug treatment trials on COVID-19 patients will commence soon , the outcome of the trail will be made public and shall be published ,in line with best international practices .”

He said that as part of its attempts to find lasting solution to infectious disease ,the committee has initiated strategies to collaborate with other partners to bring succor to the state in terms of improvement of health facilities .

Prof Wannang also said that the committee has identified preventive strategies for the Covid 19 and other infectious disease on the Plateau ,it equally cautioned on the potential dangers of misinformation from the social media which has unfortunately taken the center state .

The committee has also developed protocol for the management of Covid 19 patients using conventional medicines .

He said that the repurposed drugs cover for Asymptomatic carriers , Mild / moderate disease patients ,elderly patients ,Patients with cardiovascular morbidities ,patients presenting with severe disease ,patients in shock and critically severe disease .

Wannag further said that for fear of self medication and drug misuse , the protocols will be submitted to the necessary authorities for immediate implementation .

The Committee acknowledges that the Covid 19 is ravaging out society ,and knowing well , the situation of the pandemic immediately demonstrated willingness and provided all their time and other resources into this all important assignment to curtail this deadly virus , the desire for information and problem solving incited action and produced comprehensive results .

” Within the past one month ,the committee had a total of 14 physical meetings ,over 20 virtual meetings ,aside from the subgroup interaction and interventions which often times lasted all through the day and night .

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COVID-19: Plateau Research Committee Discovers 13 Plants That May Fight Virus