2582 hospitalised patients were randomised to standard of usual care plus azithromycin and 5182 patients received standard of usual care only. Exclusions including patients with long QTc or hypersensitivity to a macrolide antibiotic or already receiving hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine.

Firstly, it is important to look at the baseline characteristics in treatment allocations (azithromycin vs usual care) to see if there are any differences between the groups. The treatment allocation groups had similar or same percentages for age, sex, ethnicity, respiratory support received, number of days since symptom onset, number of days since admission to hospital, previous diseases, use of corticosteroids and COVID-19 test results.

Most patients were men, age <70 and white. Diabetes, heart disease and chronic lung disease were prominent co-morbidities. A majority of patients (75% and 76%) received oxygen (and/or non-invasive ventilation) and corticosteroids (61% and 61%). 88% vs 89% were positive for COVID-19.

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