A small trial involving 62 COVID-19 patients admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University has found that the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine given to patients helps shorten the time to clinical recovery. On March 29, the Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorisation for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for COVID-19 treatment. Chest CT showed pneumonia condition improved in 25 of 31 patients (nearly 81%) in the treatment group compared with 17 of 31 (55%) patients in the control group. Of the 81% who showed improved pneumonia in the treatment group, 61% had “significant pneumonia absorption”. “Despite our small number of cases, the potential of HCQ in the treatment of COVID-19 has been partially confirmed,” they write.

Source: The Hindu April 02, 2020 06:39 UTC