Clinical trial for COVID-19 patients coming to Ontario

 

A clinical trial for those who test positive for COVID-19, but only experience mild symptoms is coming to Ontario. 

The study, pioneered Jean-Claude Tardif at the Montreal Heart Institute, is expanding to Ontario as of April 30. 

Those who test positive for the virus and are not hospitalized may be eligible for the study, which is completely contact-less. 

The survey is studying the effects of evaluating whether colchicine on the virus; specifically if it will reduce the hospitalization rate of those recently diagnosed. 

Ontario investigators collaborating with Tardiff include: Saswata Deb, a senior resident physician for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto; Barry Pakes an assistant professor and program director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at U of T; and Stephen Fremes, a cardiac surgeon at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. 

Numerous sites across Canada, the United States and Spain are currently taking part in the trial, and Tardiff is working on expanding to more provinces and regions as soon as possible. 

Those eligible for the trial should meet the following criteria: 

• Test positive for COVID-19
• Be 40 years and over
• Not hospitalized
• Be willing to take the drug or placebo daily for 30 days
• Be willing to participate in two follow-up calls by phone or videoconference.

Additionally, women who do not take contraceptives, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding are not eligible for the trial. 

Those interested in participating or learning more about the trial may do so by calling 1-877-536-6837.