LAUSR

Dear Editor-in-Chief, As of September 5, 2022, over 600 million people have been confirmed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide; nearly 6.5 million deaths were reported (World Health Organization, 2022c). More than 12 billion vaccine doses have been administered; however, since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly evolved and created new variants, the duration of protection and efficacy of current vaccines are uncertain. Therefore, an urgent need for effective treatments for COVID-19 still remains. Based on the formula of Ren Shen Bai Du San, a famous traditional remedy, a hard-capsule Vietnamese herbal medicine named “Kovir” has been developed to support the treatment for patients with COVID-19 in Vietnam. Previously, a phase-2 trial showed that Kovir capsule (TD0069) was safe and had potential effects on symptom resolution and prevention of progression to severe diseases for patients with mild COVID-19 (Loc et al., 2022). To better prove these findings, we conducted a non-randomized study in adults (aged ≥18 years) with mild COVID-19 (confirmed via a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] for SARS-CoV-2) admitted to Temporary Hospital for COVID-19 No. 3 (Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam) from July to September 2021. A total of 1,000 patients were consecutively recruited to the study; the first 700 patients received Kovir capsule combined with standard treatment (Kovir group) and the subsequent 300 patients received standard treatment only (control group). Standard treatment included antipyretics, adequate nutrition, and rehydration according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (World Health Organization, 2022a). In the Kovir group, oral Kovir hard capsule (three capsules three times a day [nine capsules daily in total]) was added. As described elsewhere (Loc et al., 2022), there are 12 herbal ingredients in a Kovir capsule; all harmonize to facilitate the reconcilement and recovery of the body.