infection

A 53-year-old German man is believed to have been cured of HIV.

Researchers referred to him as “the Dusseldorf patient” to withold his identity, and is the fifth person in the world to be cured of the virus.

He reportedly has “no detectable virus” since not taking his medication four years ago.

“It’s really cure, and not just, you know, long term remission,” said Dr. Bjorn-Erik Ole Jensen, who presented details of the case in a new publication in “Nature Medicine.”

“This obviously positive symbol makes hope, but there’s a lot of work to do.”

What it means

This patient is only the fifth person cured of HIV, representing a small population which recieved a stem cell transplant which is often given to cancer patients, replacing a person’s immune system, in turn curing the infection.

The big picture

HIV was long considred a lifelong infection and millions have died from it. Modern medication has prolonged the lives of those infected.

The first batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses is expected to arrive in the country on Wednesday, after a delay.

Why it matters

The first batch, which includes 20,000 doses, donated by the Government of India, was expected to arrive on Sunday but was rescheduled due to “logistical issues overseas” according to Prime Minister Hubert Minnis.

Bahamians can expect to receive ‘the jab’ shortly after its arrival.

The big picture

Many Bahamians are skeptical about the vaccine. It is not known how many will receive the vaccine but Minnis has stated he will be the first to be vaccinated.

Millions of people around the world have received the AstraZeneca vaccine with no hospitalization or serious illness, according to medical literature.

The Archdiocese’s Position on the Vaccine

Most Reverend Patrick Pinder said all Bahamians eligible to receive the vaccine should do so, adding, “it promotes the common good.”

Pinder said he will receive the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.