Inclusion Criteria:  Able and willing to give signed informed consent Hospitalized less than 48 hours with pneumonia and confirmed COVID-19 disease  Meet the criteria for severe COVID_19 disease at randomization defined as patients that have one or more of the following:  oxygen saturation as detected by pulse oximeter (SpO2) < 94% on room air at sea level ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2) < 300 mm Hg respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min lung infiltrates involving > 50% of lung parenchyma Score of 5 or 6 on the WHO COVID-19 10-point Clinical Progression Scale (CPS) at randomization Female patients of reproductive potential must be on an effective contraceptive method  Exclusion Criteria:  Pregnant and/or lactating women Patients included in any other interventional trial Body Mass Index (BMI) > 35 Use of endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) at screening Any concurrent serious medical condition or concomitant medication that would preclude participation in the study Known history of human immunodeficiency virus and/or hepatitis (acute or chronic) Severe renal insufficiency or end-stage renal disease Recent (within past 2 months) major surgery or central venous access device placement Any thromboembolic event within the past 3 months Symptomatic congestive heart failure or symptomatic or poorly controlled cardiac arrhythmia > class II as per New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification History of autonomic disorders or uncontrolled hypotension Hypersensitivity to drug products containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) Any other condition which the Principal Investigator feels may jeopardize the safety of the patient or the objectives of the study