Does Combining Severe And Mild Cases Of Covid-19 Produce Low Fatality Rates After Treatment With Hydroxychloroquine And Azithromycin?

In this issue of the Journal, Dr. Risch (Am J Epidemiol. 2020;189(11):1218-1226) posits that the use of a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin as an outpatient treatment for high-risk patients with coronavirus 19 should be increased as a way to help curtail the ongoing pandemic. However, a calculation error occurred in the original article, and new data about the studies cited have come to light. Peculiarities in the methods of data collection and reporting in those original sources must be considered when evaluating the evidence for or against hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin bitherapy.