Clinical Study attributes
Rationale: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly in the world with no proven effective therapy to date. Some patients with COVID-19 develop sever respiratory disease requiring ICU care. There is in vitro evidence that hypertonic saline (HTS) may be beneficial in reducing the inflammatory component in similar viral illnesses. Objective: To assess whether wearing a face mask sprayed with HTS (in addition to other COVID-19 treatments) leads to decreasing the severity of the respiratory symptoms resulting from COVID-19. Study design: Multi-centre trial Study population: Any patient older than 18 years of age with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who has any of the following respiratory symptoms or signs: * cough, * shortness of breath, * tachypnea (respiratory rate of 20 breaths / minute or more), * hypoxemia (O2 saturation 90% or less on room air) Intervention: Participants will be asked to wear a face mask for 20-30 minutes every 6 hours for the duration of their respiratory symptoms and/or signs. This inside surface of the face mask will be sprayed with 10-15 ml of HTS and allowed to air dry before the participant is permitted to wear it. A new face mask will be given to the patient every 24 hours. All participants will continue to receive their other COVID-19 treatments as per local hospital guidelines. Main study parameter: Improvement of the respiratory symptoms and signs on repeated measurement. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit: The burden of COVID-19 is very severe world wide. The trial duration is 3 months, with potential extension if deemed needed by interim analysis at the end of 3 months. There are no additional risks for participation in this study as only face masks will be used with no additional medications being given to the participants. In the future, the results of this study could lead to improved care for COVID-19 patients.
