Principal Investigator - Professor Mosepele Mosepele MD, MSc

Study Objectives: The primary outcome is in-hospital mortality from any cause, and the primary analyses are of mortality in all randomised patients. The major secondary outcomes are initiation of ventilation, and duration of hospital stay.

Study Design: This is a randomized trial through which adults (age ≥18 years) recently hospitalised, or already in hospital, with definite COVID diagnosis will be randomly allocated between the following arms for COVID-19 treatment:

Local standard of care alone, or

• Artesunate: 2.4 mg/kg/dose at 0 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours and thereafter every 24 hours; IV injection; duration of treatment 7 days.
• Infliximab: 5 mg/kg/dose (once only), single IV infusion over 2 hours.
• Imatinib: 400 mg/dose; orally once daily; duration of treatment 14 days..

Study Population and size: Consenting adults (males and females) 18 years and above diagnosed with COVID-19. We will consecutively approach all eligible patients. No specific sample size is specified at this point. Participants will be entered into the study depending on numbers available during the study. If substantial numbers of patients are hospitalized during the study and are willing to take part, they will be entered in the study.

Study Duration: For the duration of the Botswana epidemic or until WHO closes the trial to recruitment (whichever occurs first).