Rolling updates on the latest developments and headlines from around the world on the Covid-19 pandemic.
By Gina Lee and Peter Nurse
(10:40 PM ET) The White House mulls disbanding Presidential COVID-19 task force
Vice President Mike Pence said the White House is discussing whether to disband the president’s COVID-19 task force, possibly as soon as May 25.
The move comes as Pence said that the task force accomplished its goal of containing the virus as the outbreak in the U.S. slows and some states reopen after weeks-long lockdowns.
(10:37 PM ET) Gilead to Expand Remdesivir Production
Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) is looking to expand manufacturing of its Covid-19 treatment remdesivir. The drug received FDA emergency use approval earlier in the week.
Gilead said in a blog post that it is talking with “some of the world’s leading chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies” about their ability to make the drug for Europe, Asia and the developing world through 2022.
It is also in talks with Indian and Pakistani manufacturers about manufacturing and licensing he drug for developing markets.
(10:34 PM ET) Argentina to get $4 billion Development Bank of Latin America loan
Argentina secured a $4 billion loan from the Development Bank of Latin America, with the funds to be used to tackle the economic impact of the virus.
DBLA will distribute the funds over four years.