7.4.2020 6:38 p.m.
The Turkish virologist Prof. Dr. Aykut Özkul has reportedly successfully isolated the SARS-CoV2 virus, strain of the novel corona virus. This is the basic prerequisite for producing a vaccine against the deadly lung disease Covid-19, which has so far killed almost 68,000 people worldwide. Research for medication and a vaccine is in full swing worldwide and is a race against time to prevent further victims.
“The director of our university’s biotechnology institute, Prof. Dr. Aykut Özkul, has succeeded in isolating the SARS-CoV2 virus. This is the first step in the production of serum, vaccine and medication against the coronavirus!” At least, that was the announcement of the University of Ankara about their own social media account on Twitter on March 5th, raising hopes. Global research to find an effective vaccine or medication for the novel virus would be a milestone to save lives.
68,000 deaths worldwide
Mustafa Varank, the Turkish Minister of Industry and Technology, informed the public last week that a total of 24 universities, eight public research and development institutions, with hundreds of researchers, have worked non-stop to produce a vaccine against COVID-19. Originating in China last December, COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, has spread to at least 183 countries and regions around the world, with the epicenter shifting to Europe.
The pandemic killed around 68,000 people and infected over 1.2 million people, while nearly 258,400 people have recovered from the disease, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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