inclusion criteria: patients with rt-pcr diagnosis of covid-19 or a clinical condition compatible with covid-19 and respiratory symptoms, presenting: a. persistent dry cough associated with axillary temperature > 37.7 celsius; or b. recent onset of flu-like respiratory symptoms associated with dry cough or c. tomographic image compatible with covid 19 infection; 2. men and women aged > 50 years or: patients over 18 years of age with at least one of the following criteria - diabetes requiring oral medication or insulin. - arterial hypertension requiring at least 01 oral medication for treatment - known cardiovascular diseases (chf of any etiology, documented coronary artery disease, clinically overt heart disease) - symptomatic chronic lung disease and/ or medically controlled - patients with a history of transplantation - patient with stage iv chronic kidney disease or on dialysis. - patients on current immunosuppression and/or using corticosteroid therapy (equivalent to at least 10 mg of oral prednisone per day) - willingness to comply with study related procedures 3. ability to provide informed consent before any protocol-related procedures.

inclusion criteria: patients with rt-pcr diagnosis of covid-19 or a clinical condition compatible with covid-19 and respiratory symptoms, presenting: a. persistent dry cough associated with axillary temperature > 37.7 celsius; or b. recent onset of flu-like respiratory symptoms associated with dry cough or c. tomographic image compatible with covid 19 infection; 2. men and women aged > 50 years or: patients over 18 years of age with at least one of the following criteria - diabetes requiring oral medication or insulin. - arterial hypertension requiring at least 01 oral medication for treatment - known cardiovascular diseases (chf of any etiology, documented coronary artery disease, clinically overt heart disease) - symptomatic chronic lung disease and/ or medically controlled - patients with a history of transplantation - patient with stage iv chronic kidney disease or on dialysis. - patients on current immunosuppression and/or using corticosteroid therapy (equivalent to at least 10 mg of oral prednisone per day) - willingness to comply with study related procedures 3. ability to provide informed consent before any protocol-related procedures.