AN anti-viral nasal spray developed by British scientists dramatically cuts the chance of catching Covid.
The inventors of the spray say that two pumps in each nostril gives protection for up to eight hours.
The spray, called the pHOXWELL, the inventors believe can give protection to vulnerable patients in hospitals and care homes.
NHS heart surgeon and entrepreneur Professor Rakesh Uppal, chairman of Raphael Labs, is the firm behind this invention.
Professor Uppal said: "We now have an effective tool, previously missing, to fight this pandemic.
"Vaccination, while absolutely essential, is not 100 per cent effective and it is still possible to become infected by and transmit the virus that causes Covid-19."
The spray was trialled on more than 600 unvaccinated health workers in India at the peak of the second wave. As per the data, those who received pHOXWELL were two-thirds less likely to get infected with Covid over a 45-day period.
The spray would be a big boost to those countries who have not been able to get enough supply of Covid vaccine. Moreover, added benefits being the spray is easy to transport and store in room temperature.
According to laboratory studies the spray kills viruses including Sars-Cov-2 in 30 seconds, also preventing it from getting beyond mucus in the nose.
"Nasal sprays could be the new way of protecting and preventing the spread of viruses," said Áine McKnight, professor of viral pathology at Queen Mary University of London, who was also involved in the project.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)