A nasal spray that is reportedly capable of killing 99.9 percent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) particles could be a lifesaver to nations hit by the contagious disease, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said on Saturday.

During his commentary show “Counterpoint,” Panelo viewed as “good news” the development of Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) which is believed to be an effective treatment for Covid-19.

“Magandang balita ‘yun. Ibig sabihin, sa madaling sabi, meron po tayong puwedeng gamitin na makakapigil ng pagpasok ng coronavirus sa ating katawan (That is good news. Meaning, we can use that to stop the possible entry of the coronavirus to our body),” he said.

Panelo is referring to NONS developed by Canadian-based biotech firm SaNOtize Research and Development and branded as Enovid.

Results of clinical trials in the United Kingdom have shown that NONS is both safe and effective antiviral treatment to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

NONS can also reduce symptom severity and damage in people already infected with the coronavirus, according to the study.

Twenty-four hours following the nasal spray treatment, the average viral log reduction was 1.362, which is a decline of approximately 95 percent. After 72 hours following treatment, the viral load dropped by more than 99 percent.

Panelo said the nasal spray could be the solution to defeat Covid-19.

“‘Yung pang-spray na tinatawag is the only noble therapeutic treatment na so far naaprubahan na talagang nagpapababa ng bilang ng virus sa katawan ng tao (The nasal spray is the only noble therapeutic treatment that has so far been approved for reducing the spread of the virus in a person’s body),” he said. “Siguro ito na ang kasagutan sa mga dasal natin araw-araw, gabi-gabi sa ating Dakilang Lumikha (Perhaps, it is the answer to our daily prayers to our Creator).”

Israel will be the first country to sell NONs or Enovid after its Health Ministry has given interim approval for its sale as a medical device suitable for people aged 12 and above, according to a report by The Times of Israel.

The Times of Israel also reported that the sale of Enovid has also been approved for sale in New Zealand and is being sought in other countries, including the UK.

In the Philippines, the government has already started its mass Covid-19 vaccine program.

The Philippines aims to inoculate up to 70 million people by yearend to achieve herd immunity. (PNA)