Assessments
ADVERSE EVENTS, DISEASE PROGRESSION, DISEASE
Data were collected daily, from randomization until day 28, in the patient proforma. For patients who were discharged before day 7, structured telephone calls were made to the patient or the family on days 7, 14, and 28 by an interviewer who was unaware of the assigned trial group to assess the vital status and return to routine activities. All samples were processed by PCR for genes N and E of SARS-CoV-2. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiology data from patients' medical records were collected by the research team. The data were evaluated by a trained team of physicians. The date of disease onset was defined as the day when the symptom was noticed. Data on symptoms, vital signs, and laboratory values on biomarkers of disease progression, biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, interleukin 6 (IL-6), ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)], and treatment measures during the hospital stay were collected. Patient assessments included physical examination, respiratory status (respiratory rate, type of oxygen supplementation, and blood oxygen saturation), adverse events, and concomitant medications. Blood-based investigations were done on days 1 and 5 post-randomization/hospitalization as per the routine analysis regime followed in the hospital settings. These investigations included measurement of blood cell counts, serum creatinine, glucose, total bilirubin, liver transaminases, and inflammatory biomarkers. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10) (