The WHO "has implemented a temporary pause... while the safety data is reviewed", its chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, referring to the hydroxychloroquine arm of a global trial of various possible treatments. Trump announced last week he was taking the drug, explaining he had decided to take after receiving letters from a doctor and other people advocating it. Trump has been heavily criticised for his handling of the virus, after initially downplaying the threat and then repeatedly rejecting scientific analysis. Despite the WHO suspension, Brazil's health ministry said Monday it would keep recommending hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. Chile also is in the grip of a virus surge, with a record of nearly 5,000 infections in 24 hours on Monday.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 26, 2020 05:48 UTC