Scientists of Belarus and Russia to Join Forces in Fight against COVID-19

Today academia representatives of the two countries are meeting online for the first time in order to discuss the problems and consequences associated with the spread of the new coronavirus. At the video conference “Coronavirus Infection: Fundamental, Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects. Socio-Economic Challenges to Healthcare” scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and the Russian Academy of Sciences are discussing a wide range of issues on the topic mentioned above. However, the key item on the agenda is the joint development of a vaccine against COVID-19.

“Russia has already developed a number of vaccines, but they have not passed clinical trials yet. I am going to propose to join our efforts. This should help speed up the development, conduct verification and, if necessary, ensure delivery,” said Head of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov.

In addition, as part of the plan announced at the conference, Belarusian academics are proposing Russian colleagues to join their efforts when monitoring the phases of the disease progression, determining its existing forms, and developing methods aimed to neutralize the coronavirus infection.

“It is important to understand how to inhibit and neutralize this viral modification, how to use person’s organism for this. Now we are working on focusing our efforts keeping in mind the characteristics of the virus: how it multiplies, how it affects human organs,” Mr. Gusakov says.

The current plan of the NAS of Belarus and the RAS is to hold a traditional joint meeting of the Presidiums as soon as the situation with the coronavirus stabilizes. According to Vladimir Gusakov, this time the event is going to be held in Belarus and is scheduled for this autumn.