Coronavirus Education

Coronavirus Education


Ep. 11 – Coronavirus: Hydroxychloroquine cures COVID-19

March 27, 2020

The antimalarial drug, Plaquenil aka hydroxychloroquine is shown to stop the coronavirus replication in culture and now in humans. Dr. Lewis discusses all aspects of this drug; safety, efficacy, history, and cutting-edge results on it effect on SARS-CoV-2 – The Coronavirus – COVID-19. The latest results from France, which involve 80 patients, were reported on March 27. The investigators report a significant reduction in the viral load (83% patients had negative results at day 7, and 93% had negative results on day 8). There was a “clinical improvement compared to the natural progression” on hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin. One death occurred, and three patients were transferred to intensive care units. Thus, this drug is not 100% effective. It is still unclear how the chloroquines (or any antimalarial drug) would work against COVID-19, which is a virus. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites that are spread by mosquitoes, whereas COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.