157 patients in Philippines taking part in WHO’s solidarity trial for COVID-19 treatments

May 26 ------ Nearly 160 patients in the Philippines have signed up for the World Health Organization's (WHO) solidarity trial aimed at finding a treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In his weekly report to Congress submitted on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte said 157 patients are taking part in the clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of possible therapies in treating COVID-19.

Twenty-four hospitals are currently participating in the WHO initiative, with 16 of them “actively recruiting participant-patients,” Duterte said. The Department of Health earlier said at least 500 Filipino patients would be tapped for the solidarity trial. The President also reported that two additional sites have been identified for the clinical trials of anti-flug drug Avigan, bringing the total to five identified sites. Chinese authorities said in March that Avigan could be effective for treating COVID-19 patients. As of Monday, the Philippines had 14,319 COVID-19 cases, with 873 deaths and 3,323 recoveries.

Source: gmanetwork.com