Study arms.
This study consisted of a 14-day treatment period and a 14-day follow-up period. Before starting the treatment period, patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive nelfinavir combined with standard-of-care, or standard-of-care alone. Random and concealed allocation was implemented using an interactive web response system with the dynamic allocation method adjusted for severity (asymptomatic versus mild symptom) and age (20 to 59 versus ≥60 years).Nelfinavir (750 mg; thrice daily) was administered orally for 14 days. However, the treatment was to be discontinued based on the decision of the investigator if a patient had two consecutive negative RT-PCR results. Nelfinavir was supplied by Japan Tobacco, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) and Pfizer, Inc. (New York, NY).