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Various therapies have been tried for Covid disease including the use of antivirals, steroids, monoclonal antibodies and convalescent plasma.The study was conducted on convalescent plasma transfused ICU patients. Part A of the study involves clinical outcomes based on gender, age, comorbidities, blood group,and the average length of stay. Part B investigates clinical outcomes in patients transfused with convalescent plasma before and after the November 2021 guidelines. Part C of the study includes patients in cytokine storm and the efficacy of tocilizumab in these patients.Out of the 326 ICU patients transfused with convalescent plasma the overall mortality was 152 (53.3 %). On comparing blood groups and clinical outcomes, a clinically significant result was found. A clinically significant association was also seen on comparing the clinical outcome of 18-50 years and 61-70 years age group and in female gender patients. The average number of ICU days had a positive impact on the overall patient survival. Out of the patients in 'cytokine storm' (n = 109), on day 20, the survival percentage in the non-Tocilizumab group showed a downward trend throughout. However, in the Tocilizumab group, the survival percentage remained stable throughout till around day 50.Amongst the convalescent plasma transfused ICU patients, females, having blood group B, and an average length of stay of fewer than 20 days had a better chance of survival. The patients given tocilizumab and convalescent plasma had a better chance of survival compared to tocilizumab alone.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs),particularly from lower-middle income countries (LMIC), are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19. Limited data exist on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis. Our trial evaluated the effectiveness of a 12-week regimen of hydroxychloroquine among HCWs on the risk of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in the 6 months after randomization Methods: We conducted a multicentre parallel-group open-label randomized controlled trial in 9 centres across India. HCWs serving in an environment with exposure to COVID-19 were eligible and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to hydroxychloroquine plus standard practice or to standard practice alone (role-appropriate personal protective equipment). In the intervention arm, participants received 2 doses of 400mg hydroxychloroquine at randomization followed by a weekly dose for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the proportion of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in the 6 months after randomization using an intention-to-treat analysis. The trial was registered on Clinical Trials Registry of India(CTRI/2020/05/025067). Findings: From 29th June 2020 to 4th February 2021, 886 participants were screened and 416 were randomized (203-standard practice and 213- hydroxychloroquine plus standard practice). In the 6 months after randomization (primary analysis population=413), 11 participants assigned to the hydroxychloroquine group and 12 participants assigned to the standard practice group met the primary end point[ 5.1% vs 5.9%; OR 0.85, [95% CI 0.35-2.06] p=0.71]. There was no heterogeneity of treatment effect on the primary outcome in any of the pre-specified subgroups. There were no significant differences in any of the secondary outcomes. The adverse event rates were 9.9% and 6.9% in the hydroxychloroquine and standard practice arms respectively. There were no serious adverse events in either group. Interpretation: Hydroxychloroquine along with standard practice was not superior to standard practice alone on the proportion of lab-confirmed COVID-19. However, conclusions are limited by the premature trial cessation. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2020/05/025067). Funding: Wesley Medical Research, Australia Declaration of Interest: OJ reports being a member of the WHO R&D Blueprint Safety Monitoring Team, ACT Acclerator-R&D Digital Health working group and COVID-19 Clinical Research Coalition data sharing working group. Remaining authors have nothing to declare. Ethical Approval: Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The trial was approved by the Ethics Committee at all participating sites (coordinating centre EC approval number: The George Institute Ethics Committee:08-2020)