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-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Coronaplague Roundup: FDA Says Hydroxychloroquine And Chloroquine Can Be Used To Treat Coronavirus

2020-03-31

[NEWSWEEK] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of two anti-malaria drugs to treat patients infected by the new coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men...
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in a statement that chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could be prescribed to teens and adults with COVID-19 "as appropriate, when a clinical trial is not available or feasible," after the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization. (EUA) That marked the first EUA for a drug related to COVID-19 in the U.S., according to the statement.

According to Johns Hopkins University, over 720,000 cases have been confirmed, more than 34,000 people have died, and over 152,000 have recovered since the pandemic started in China late last year.

Both chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are used to treat diseases including malaria, and have "shown activity in laboratory studies against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)," the HHS stated.

"Anecdotal reports suggest that these drugs may offer some benefit in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Clinical trials are needed to provide scientific evidence that these treatments are effective."

Under the EUA, health care providers and patients must be given fact sheets outlining the known risks and drug interactions of the medications.

The HSS said it accepted 30 million doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate from an arm of the pharmaceutical company Novartis, and one million of chloroquine phosphate from Bayer Pharmaceuticals to be used for treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients or in clinical trials.

Study raises hope that blood plasma can treat coronavirus patients
[BIZPACREVIEW] A preliminary study released Friday found that blood serum from people who recovered from coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men...
was effective at treating critically ill patients, raising hope that the technique will curtail a pandemic that has already killed more than 30,000 people around the globe.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, looked at only five patients, and the authors of the report acknowledged the need for more extensive research. But it showed promising results, and health officials have already expressed optimism that blood transfers can be used to fight the new coronavirus strain.

"That’s one of our top priorities," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top expert on infectious disease, said in a March 20 interview regarding clinical trials for convalescent serum.

Fauci expressed confidence in the technique because it has proved effective during other pandemics, including the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918 and the SARS outbreak in 2003.

All five patients in the study, conducted in Shenzhen, China, have dramatically improved since receiving injections of blood plasma from recovered patients.

The patients, who ranged in age from 36 to 65, were all on ventilators suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) when the were provided plasma treatments.

Body temperatures normalized within three days for four out of the five patients following plasma transfusions, according to the study. ARDS in four of the patients cleared up within 12 days of the transfusion.

Three of the patients were taken off of ventilators within two weeks of the treatment. Viral loads also decreased in the patients, and their scores on a test that gauges potential organ failure showed improvements.

USNS Comfort arrives in NYC
[NYPOST] The USNS Comfort hospital ship arrived in New York Harbor on Monday morning to aid in the coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

NYC sees a coronavirus death every 2.9 minutes
[NYPOST] The coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

reported that the Empire State as a whole had been hit by 66,497 diagnoses, with 1,218 deaths.

#BreakingNews | #Spain surpasses #China, recording 85,195 COVID-19 cases#BaghdadPost #Covid_19 #Coronavirustruth #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/FiSQzTNyG0
— The Baghdad Post (@BaghdadPostPlus) March 30, 2020

The number of people infected with #Coronavirus in #Italy increased to 101,739 and the death toll raised to 11591.#BaghdadPost #Coronavirustruth #ConanAtHome #COVID19 #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/pR8xunBcmk
— The Baghdad Post (@BaghdadPostPlus) March 30, 2020

New 1610 Corunavirus cases were recorded today in #Turkey, raising the total number to 10,827. #BaghdadPost #Covid_19 #Coronavirustruth #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/T5dE3YUcIL
— The Baghdad Post (@BaghdadPostPlus) March 30, 2020

159 more people die from coronavirus in England

Follow our live updates on #coronavirus here: https://t.co/vY4fVgAjuk
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 30, 2020

An overnight death toll of 812 people brought total fatalities in Spain to 7,340 https://t.co/BQWFIOqqkK
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 30, 2020

New Jersey National Guardsman had died from #Covid_19; "Today is a sad day for the Department of Defense as we have lost our first American service member - active, reserve or Guard - to Coronavirus" - @EsperDoD
— Mary Walsh (@CBSWalsh) March 30, 2020

Texas governor mandates 14-day coronavirus quarantine for travelers from 7 more states, cities

DHS guidelines advise states to let gun stores stay open amid coronavirus pandemic

J&J, Moderna sign deals with U.S. to produce possible coronavirus vaccines
(Reuters) - The U.S. government has cut deals with Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) and Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) and said it is in talks with at least two other companies to expand manufacturing capacity within the United States for vaccines to prevent the new coronavirus even before safe and effective ones become available.

Gov. McMaster orders closure of public accesses to all South Carolina beaches
[WMBFNews] ‐ South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order on Monday that closes all public access points to the state’s beaches.

The executive order also closes all public boat ramps, landings and other access points on the state’s lakes, rivers and waterways.

"As a result of behavior observed this past weekend by the Department of Natural Resources and SLED, it has become necessary to close public access to our state’s beaches, and to close boat ramps and landings on our state’s lakes, rivers and waterways,"McMaster said. "This is unfortunate for those who chose to responsibly follow the instructions of our public health officials, but it is a necessary action to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus."

Tokyo Olympics rescheduled for July 23, 2021

Posted by:Fred

#25 For #22

Posted by: Frank G 2020-03-31 20:44

#24 ^Posted for tomorrow :-)

Posted by: Frank G 2020-03-31 20:41

#23 Of course, if in 25 years, someone who took hydroxychloroquine for the Wuhan flu and survived comes down with cancer or something, lawyers will be all over them trying to sue.
And blaming Trump, of course.

Posted by: Rambler in Virginia 2020-03-31 20:41

#22 gov of Michigan who wrote letter threatening docs who use hcq now says it was misunderstood and she now asks the US gov to supply MI with hcq

Posted by: lord garth 2020-03-31 19:51

#21 Lots of good news on all fronts except where idiots are concerned.

First person who dies in spite of getting the drug will be "Trump's fault."

They tried that already, but a) it turned out to be fish tank cleaner, and b) the surviving wife turns out to be a serious Democratic party donor.

Posted by: trailing wife 2020-03-31 19:29

#20 "If you find yourself going through hell, keep going."
- Winnie ~~the Flu~~ Churchill

Posted by: Lex 2020-03-31 19:04

#19 Yes, indeed. It is so hard to find a glimmer of light in Mordor.

Posted by: Bobby 2020-03-31 19:00

#18 Yes, thanks for your analysis and comments MT.

Posted by: Besoeker 2020-03-31 17:28

#17 Thanks for this, Marilyn. There's hope.

Posted by: Lex 2020-03-31 17:22

#16 Low dose hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), in combination with azithromycin (Z-pak) may just be working. 3 sources I have found:

Research virologist in France followed his initial small test with a better documented one and showed similar success with 60 patients, only 1 death, 86yo who was "highly advance" before treatment, all the others have recovered.

https://techstartups.com/2020/03/27/coronavirus-cure-new-results-french-study-shows-combination-hydroxychloroquine-plaquenil-azithromycin-successfully-treated-80-coronavirus-patients-significant-dr/

Also Dr. William Grace Lennox Hospital NYC (100+ cases treated): ‘Thanks to hydroxychloroquine, we have not had a death in our hospital.’

And then there is Dr. Vladimir Zelenko. Amazing if true, but a bit skeptical until data published. He is a board certified MD family medicine long in practice in the Haisidic community. He defines success as “Not to die.” He has directly diagnosed/tested and treated 699 patient, zero patients died, zero patients intubated, and four hospitalizations.

Its hydroxychloroquine, in combination with azithromycin (Z-Pak), an antibiotic to treat secondary infections, and zinc sulfate, over a period of 5 days for routine cases. Cost is about $20. Apparently the doses are low enough to control for prolonged QT risk.

Of course this method doesn't get any researchers glory or grants, doesn't enrich drug companies since these are easily and quickly and cheaply manufactured generic drugs 50+ years old, and since it can be used now, off label, it doesn't reinforce the power of the FDA bureaucrats in DC.

Posted by: Marilyn Tojo7566 2020-03-31 17:00

#15 A bit of perspective, from the CDC. For the period ending March 21, the U.S. CDC reports -

CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 39 million flu illnesses, 400,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths from flu.

That's the regular, old fashioned seasonal flu, kiddies, not the Chinese Plague (AKA COVID-19).
And -

Nationally, the percent of laboratory specimens testing positive for influenza at clinical laboratories continued to decrease while ILI [influenza like illnesses] activity continued to increase. More people are seeking care for respiratory illness due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Indicating the usual spring decline of the flu. However, because of the pandemic, more folks who might have stayed home with the drugstore medications are now calling the doctor, fearing they have COVID-19)
Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report [see Key Points]

Posted by: Bobby 2020-03-31 16:00

#14 Re: bureaucrats, they all realize that if you don't do anything at all, you will never do anything wrong--and therefore can't be criticized in the annual reviews.

Posted by: Tom 2020-03-31 14:50

#13 I should have added that Tocilizumad is, I think, more costly than hcq and you would need to take more anti biotic with it than you would with hcq

Posted by: lord garth 2020-03-31 13:59

#12 Tocilizumab, which is marketed as Actemra is now being tested in Italy for Covid19.

It is, like HCQ, already approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Posted by: lord garth 2020-03-31 13:26

#11 ^ media/DNC Backfire #47

Posted by: Lex 2020-03-31 11:54

#10 Assuming chloroquine is even partially effective, it will save thousands of lives, and because the media has tied it to Trump he'll get the credit. Total backfire.

Posted by: Iblis 2020-03-31 11:41

#9 Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) has issued treatment guidance that includes both HCQ as well as remdesivir

Posted by: lord garth 2020-03-31 11:31

#8 First person who dies in spite of getting the drug will be "Trump's fault." Class action lawyers looking at nailing Trump for failure of leeches on George Washington's deathbed...

Posted by: M. Murcek 2020-03-31 08:16

#7 I've not seen where Nevada or Michigan governors have lifted the 'arrest orders' for doctors using these drugs yet.

Maybe that news was lost in the haze.

Posted by: Mullah Richard 2020-03-31 07:56

#6 magpie
The problem for bureaucrats is there's little to none up-side for doing a good job...

P.S. I am not a bureaucrat.

Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2020-03-31 04:12

Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2020-03-31 03:30

#4 And now we'll see if the miracle reports had any truth in them.

Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2020-03-31 03:28

#3 /\ The greatest sin for any bureaucrat is to do anything "Original". By following hallowed procedure the bureaucrat can avoid any risk to their job while actually never having to do anything productive.

Posted by: magpie 2020-03-31 00:55

#2 but HCQ and CQ are not approved as a prophylactic.

Probably we don't have enough of the drug to do that.

Posted by: lord garth 2020-03-31 00:54

#1 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of two anti-malaria drugs to treat patients infected by the new coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague)

So afraid to do their job that they wait for Trump to tell them what to do.

Posted by: gorb 2020-03-31 00:36

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