Question: Should chloroquine hydroxychloroquine be used to treat COVID-19?

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Infection prevention and control for health care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
section_headers: Can chlorine solutions also be used?
section_content: Chlorine solutions are strongly discouraged as they carry a higher risk of
hand irritation and ill health effects from making and diluting chlorine
solutions, including eye irritation and respiratory problems. In addition,
there is a risk of loss of antimicrobial effect if exposed to sunlight or
heat. Preparing chlorine solutions requires training to reach the correct dose
of 0.05% with varying strengths of bleach available in the private sector.
Even if stored at a cool dry place with a lid away from sunlight, they have to
be renewed daily. In comparison simple soapy water solution do not have any of
the above-mentioned health risks and complications including loss of antiviral
effect due to heat or sunlight. The antiviral effect of soapy water is due to
the oily surface membrane of the COVID-virus that is dissolved by soap,
killing the virus.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The answer provides a specific and detailed response.
This answer is irrelevant to the question. The answer contains information about chlorine solutions for disinfecting surfaces and does not provide any information on hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19 treatment.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Bad

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
section_headers: What is WHO’s position on the use of Artemisia plant material for the prevention or treatment of malaria and/or COVID-19?
section_content: The most widely used antimalarial treatments, artemisinin-based combination
therapies (ACTs), are produced using the pure artemisinin compound extracted
from the plant Artemisia annua. In recent years, some news reports have
suggested that a range of non-pharmaceutical products made from Artemisia
plant material – such as herbal teas and tablets – may be effective in
preventing or treating malaria. Now, there are reports that products made from
Artemisia plant material may also have a preventive or curative effect on
COVID-19.
WHO urges extreme caution over reports touting the efficacy of such products.
As explained in a WHO position statement, there is no
scientific evidence base to support the use of non-pharmaceutical forms of
Artemisia for the prevention or treatment of malaria. There is also no
evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be prevented or treated with products
made from Artemisia -based plant material.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The answer details another treatment other than the one asked about in the question.
This information is irrelevant to the question. This information provides explanation on antimalarial treatment and does not provide any information on hydroxychloroquine for treatment of Covid-19.

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Bad

Answer passage (source: WHO):
page_title: Q&A: Malaria and COVID-19
section_headers: What is WHO’s position on the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine in the context of the COVID-19 response?
section_content: WHO is actively following the ongoing clinical trials that are being conducted
in response to COVID-19, including studies looking at the use of chloroquine
and its derivative, hydroxychloroquine, for treatment and/or prevention.
Currently, there is insufficient data to assess the efficacy of either of
these medicines in treating patients with COVID-19, or in preventing them from
contracting the coronavirus.
In the context of the COVID-19 response, hydroxychloroquine was one of the
potential treatment options that was being assessed as part of the Solidarity
clinical trial. However, on 25 May 2020, the WHO Director-General
announced that the Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial had put a
temporary pause on the hydroxychloroquine arm
of the trial while the safety data are reviewed. This decision follows the
publication of a recent Lancet study focusing on the effects of
hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients who have been hospitalized; authors of
the study reported a higher mortality rate among patients who received the
drug. The Director-General made clear in his announcement that
hydroxychloroquine continues to be a safe drug for use in patients with
malaria and autoimmune diseases.
For public health emergencies, WHO has a systematic and transparent process
for research and development (R&D), including for clinical trials of drugs.
The WHO “R&D Blueprint” for COVID-19,
initiated on 7 January 2020, aims to fast-track the availability of effective
tests, vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large-
scale crises. WHO has also designed a set of procedures to assess the
performance, quality and safety of medical technologies during emergency
situations.  

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The answer is very detailed and responds specifically to the question about treatment.
This answers the question directly. This answer provides known information on the ongoing clinical trials and assessments on the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine for treatment and prevention of Covid-19.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent