Patients with no contraindications were offered a combination of 200 mg of oral HCQ sulfate, three times per day for ten days combined with AZM (500 mg on D1 followed by 250 mg per day for the next four days). For patients with pneumonia and NEWS score ≥ 5, a broad spectrum antibiotic (ceftriaxone) was added to HCQ and AZM. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were performed on each patient before treatment and two days after treatment began. All ECGs were reviewed by senior cardiologists. The treatment was either not started or discontinued when the QTc (Bazett's formula) was > 500 ms. Symptomatic treatments, including oxygen, were added when needed. An ionogram and verification of serum potassium levels were regularly performed upon admission. When needed, standard blood chemistry was checked.