Coronavirus Update: W.H.O. Says Plasma Treatment Touted as Breakthrough by Trump is Unproven, Advises Caution

AstraZeneca stock climbs on reports Trump may fast track its COVID-19 vaccine candidate; company says speculation is ‘premature’

by Ciara Linnane
Market Watch

The World Health Organization said Monday the plasma therapy that received an emergency-use authorization from the administration of President Donald Trump — which hailed it on Sunday as a “breakthrough” in treating COVID-19 — is still unproven and cautioned that the there is “very low evidence” that it is safe and effective.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the WHO, told reporters at a Monday briefing that while there are many clinical trials seeking to evaluate the use of blood plasma from patients of the deadly illness who have recovered, only a few have reported results.

“The results are not conclusive,” Swaminathan told the briefing. “The trials have been relatively small, and the results in some cases point to some benefit but have not been conclusive.”

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