Contagion Live News Network: Coronavirus Guidelines Discourage Hydroxychloroquine Outside Trials

In light of evolving knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has updated guidelines for treating coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Given research into SARS-CoV-2 is taking place at unprecedented speed, the panel of IDSA experts had to decide on current best practices using science which is still in motion.

Recent updates include:

1. New recommendations on the use of remdesivir.

2. Revised recommendations on hydroxychloroquine and hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination therapy.

3. New recommendations for famotidine.

4. Revised recommendations concerning convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19.

In other news, a recent review of electronic health data revealed a 42% drop in emergency department visits during 4 weeks of the pandemic. Public health officials are concerned that fear over the coronavirus has led to patients delaying care for life-threatening illness.

And lastly, we shared a clip in which Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong of ImmunityBio.explains how the firm’s coronavirus vaccine research benefits from drawing on a background in cancer.