Key Findings There is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of HCQ or CQ for the treatment of COVID-19. Results from interim analyses of 2 large RCTs, the Recovery and the Solidarity trials, reportedly showed no clinical benefit from HCQ for hospitalized patients with COVID-19. There are 3 randomized controlled trials that investigated the efficacy and safety of HCQ compared to standard therapy. Overall quality of evidence was very low. Meta-analyses from the “COVID-19 Living Data” project suggests that the use of HCQ may increase the incidence of adverse events at day 14 to day 28 (RR 2.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 5.98, moderate quality of evidence); the most common adverse event across the two trials is diarrhea (n=8). In a statement dated June 5, 2020, the investigators of the Recovery trial announced their decision to halt further enrollment to the HCQ arm of the trial because an interim analysis showed no clinical benefit from the use of HCQ in hospitalized patients with COVID. On June 15, 2020, the US FDA revoked the emergency use authorization for HCQ and CQ as treatment for COVID-19. On June 18, 2020, the WHO announced that recruitment to the HCQ arm of the Solidarity trial has been halted.
Chloroquine ; Hydroxychloroquine ; COVID-19

Key Findings Current evidence does NOT support use of IgM/IgG rapid test kits for the definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 in currently symptomatic patients. • The present standard for diagnosis of COVID-19 is through qualitative detection of COVID-19 virus nucleic acid via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). • Due to long turnaround times and complicated logistical operations, a rapid and simple field test alternative is needed to diagnose and screen patients. • An alternative to the direct detection and measurement of viral load (RT-PCR) is the qualitative detection of specific antibodies to COVID-19. ELISA (discussed in a separate rapid review) and lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) IgM/IgG rapid test kits are two currently available, qualitative, antibody tests for COVID-19. • Two low quality clinical trials showed that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of IgM/IgG rapid test kits for the definitive diagnosis of COVID-19. Diagnostic accuracy varies greatly depending on the timing of the test. The test performed very poorly during the early phase of the disease (i.e., less than eight days from onset of symptoms). • Existing guidelines do not recommend serologic antibody tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in currently symptomatic patients.
Coronavirus ; Covid-19