<p>US President Donald Trump on Monday said antimalarial drugs that are under investigation to treat the new coronavirus could be a "gift from God" despite scientists warning against the dangers of overhyping unproven medicines.</p>.<p>Trump announced last week his administration was working to dramatically expand access to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, a related compound, following promising early studies in France and China that found the drugs helped patients suffering from the COVID-19 illness.</p>.<p>Many scientists including Anthony Fauci, the United States' leading infectious disease expert, have urged the public to remain cautious until larger clinical trials validate the smaller studies.</p>.<p>But Trump demonstrated no such restraint at a White House press briefing on Monday</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-tibetan-refugee-dies-in-himachal-pradesh-indias-death-toll-rises-to-9-799686.html">.For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>"The hydroxychloroquine and the Z-Pak, I think as a combination probably is looking very, very good," he said.</p>.<p>"There's a real chance that it could have a tremendous impact, it would be a gift from God, if that worked it would be a big game changer," he added, quoting the example of patient who was ill but recovered after taking the drug.</p>.<p>Trump has been criticized by some in the scientific community for overhyping the drugs -- which could create shortages for Americans who need them to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases for which they are approved.</p>.<p>New York is set to begin a clinical trial on Tuesday that would treat patients with hydroxychloroquine taken together with azithromycin, an antibiotic used to clear secondary bacterial infections.</p>.<p>Separately, Vice President Mike Pence announced that self-administered nasal swab tests for the illness would be made available this week, thus reducing part of the burden on the overstretched health care system.</p>.<p>At present, the test is administered by health care workers wearing personal protective gear which is in short supply.</p>.<p>The US has more than 40,000 cases and 500 deaths, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University.</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump on Monday said antimalarial drugs that are under investigation to treat the new coronavirus could be a "gift from God" despite scientists warning against the dangers of overhyping unproven medicines.</p>.<p>Trump announced last week his administration was working to dramatically expand access to hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, a related compound, following promising early studies in France and China that found the drugs helped patients suffering from the COVID-19 illness.</p>.<p>Many scientists including Anthony Fauci, the United States' leading infectious disease expert, have urged the public to remain cautious until larger clinical trials validate the smaller studies.</p>.<p>But Trump demonstrated no such restraint at a White House press briefing on Monday</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-tibetan-refugee-dies-in-himachal-pradesh-indias-death-toll-rises-to-9-799686.html">.For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>"The hydroxychloroquine and the Z-Pak, I think as a combination probably is looking very, very good," he said.</p>.<p>"There's a real chance that it could have a tremendous impact, it would be a gift from God, if that worked it would be a big game changer," he added, quoting the example of patient who was ill but recovered after taking the drug.</p>.<p>Trump has been criticized by some in the scientific community for overhyping the drugs -- which could create shortages for Americans who need them to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, diseases for which they are approved.</p>.<p>New York is set to begin a clinical trial on Tuesday that would treat patients with hydroxychloroquine taken together with azithromycin, an antibiotic used to clear secondary bacterial infections.</p>.<p>Separately, Vice President Mike Pence announced that self-administered nasal swab tests for the illness would be made available this week, thus reducing part of the burden on the overstretched health care system.</p>.<p>At present, the test is administered by health care workers wearing personal protective gear which is in short supply.</p>.<p>The US has more than 40,000 cases and 500 deaths, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University.</p>