Coronavirus drugs trial to begin at UK homes and GP clinics

Anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine to be tested on vulnerable patients aged 50 to 64

Drugs that could relieve the symptoms of coronavirus in vulnerable patients and help them avoid admission to hospital are to begin trials in homes across the UK.

The experiment, led by a team at Oxford University, seeks to test pre-existing treatments for older people in the community who show signs of the disease.

Known as Principle, or “Platform Randomised trial of interventions against Covid-19 in older People”, it is the first to take place in primary care settings such as health clinics.