New York Begins Clinical Trials For Potential Coronavirus Treatments

BELGIUM-HEALTH-VIRUS

As the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 skyrockets in New York, officials announced they are beginning clinical trials of drug treatments that have shown some promise of treating the coronavirus.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the state has received 70,000 doses of hydroxychloroquine, 10,000 doses of Zithromax and 750,000 doses of chloroquine, and gotten approval from the Food and Drug Administration to begin testing the treatment on patients.

"We hope for optimistic results," Cuomo said during a press conference. "The president and the FDA accelerated that drug coming to New York, so the hospitals will start using that drug today."

While the three drugs are approved by the FDA, they are not authorized to be used to treat patients with COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are prescription drugs used to treat malaria and inflammatory conditions like lupus. Zithromax is an antibiotic used to treat respiratory infections.

The drugs do have potentially fatal side effects, and should only be used under the supervision of medical professionals.

There are over 26,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York, which makes up roughly half of the total cases in the United States.

To keep up to date on the latest news about the coronavirus and to understand what you need to stay safe and healthy, check out the Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Photo: Getty Images


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