Introduction This review follows specific guidelines provided by the Publons team to secure rapid critical appraisals of papers related to the COVID-19 outbreak. My assessment scrutinizes this paper for sound scientific practices, in the hope that this will help researchers working on the COVID-19 outbreak. This paper is important.

Reviewer type I am currently working directly on COVID-19 response.

COVID-19 Topic Treatment, including vaccine or drug development

Authors’ experience The authors are seasoned investigators with the WHO.

Brief overview of the paper and its main findings

None of the following drugs did anything at all for any predetermined endpoint: IFN β, HCQ, lopinavir and remdesivir. No hazard signals either, including HCQ cardiac concerns. Dosages were standard ones.

The primary outcome was effect on mortality. Secondary endpoints were initiation of ventilation and length of hospitalization.

The trial actually continues, with other therapies being tested.

Major and minor points The design of the study was somewhat unusual: a control group for each tested therapy but no placebo. This is more of a “real world” design than the standard DBPCRT. Power of the study is not specified but should be substantial given the robust participant nos. The study itself is robust. Also well written. It clarifies results of several prior treatment trials.

Research integrity No ethical concerns.

Conflicts of interest None.

Overall categorization Promising. As best as I can assess, this paper appears significant in COVID-19 research and treatment.