- The experimental drug Remdesivir

could have a profoundeffect on the pandemic

since a vaccine for COVID-19is at least a year away.

The government announced thegood news late Wednesday.

- Looking forward, thisis very optimistic.

- Certainly, it's a positive;it's a very positive event.

- [Heather] The California-basedbiotech company Gilead

makes the drug.

It initially developed it to treat Ebola,

but now, a major study shows

that it helps hospitalized COVID patients

recover more quickly from the disease,

an average of 11 days compared to 15

for those in a controlgroup receiving a placebo.

Those on the drug also showeda trend toward fewer deaths.

- The data shows thatRemdesivir has a clear-cut,

significant positive effect

in diminishing the time to recovery.

It is a very important proof of concept

because what it has proven

is that a drug can block this virus.

- [Heather] The US NationalInstitutes of Health

ran the study involving just over

a thousand COVID patients in22 countries, including the US.

Some patients arealready praising the drug

for speeding their recovery.

- Within 48 hours, I wasfeelin' a lot better.

I think that Remdesivirgave the extra jumpstart

or kickstart or whatever I needed

to kind of turn that corner.

- Experts say more study is needed.

They are cautiouslyoptimistic about the drug

and the government study.

It has not been peer-reviewed,

but is being submittedto a journal for review.

The FDA says it's working with Gilead

to make Remdesivir available to patients

as quickly as possible, as appropriate.

The drug company is ramping up production,

and will have more than140,000 treatment courses

available by the end of May,

and more than half a million by October.

The news about Remdesivircomes as President Trump says

that the federal governmentsocial distancing guidelines

are set to expire today.

That means it's up to thestates to set the standards.

But that news is overshadowedby the positive news

about the drug study,

the best hope yet for thispandemic to slow down.

Heather Sells, CBN News.