New anti-viral drugs show promise in fighting mild to moderate covid-19 symptoms, researchers say.

2 weeks of interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin were tested in 127 adult patients.

The 3 treatments were started within 7 days of the patients showing symptoms.

It was found to be safe and shortened the duration of symptoms, the medical journal Lancet reported.

Limited supplies of remdesivir, the 1st drug shown to combat covid-19, is being released to hospitals.

The Chronicle has asked state health officials if any of the 3 drugs are available here and if they approve of their use in treatment.

The developer Gilead Sciences is increasing production of the drug which moderately sped recovery for hospitalized patients.

Doctors say they expect data to reveal who will be helped by the drug.

Latest cases

According to state health officials, Lexington County has lost 34 residents to the disease, has 677 confirmed cases and an estimated 4,036 unreported cases.

In Columbia and Richland County, 404 covid-19 patients have died and 1,530 cases have been confirmed.

The SC Department of Health & Environmental Control estimates 9,399 unreported Columbia cases.

In the state, DHEC reported 12,148 confirmed cases and 500 deaths Monday.

School reopenings

As more businesses are opening, county and state school board members are divided on the question of when and how to open.

49.68% agree parents should have a choice of sending their children to school or continuing with instruction at home.

50.32% oppose, some noting that this will put an additional burden on teachers.

This was among the finding of a SC School Boards Association survey of 591 board members governing the state’s 79 districts.

Board members say they need local options, not universal mandates, to do what best meets the needs of their students and communities.