inclusion criteria: - ≥ 18 years presenting symptoms who test positive for covid-19 - moderate to severe patients obtained consent - hypoxic respiratory failure (saturation <90% on air at rest or increasing oxygen requirement) - chest examination findings of bilateral crackles on auscultation or chest x-ray showing bilateral infiltrates - c-reactive protein > 50mg/l - women of childbearing potential who meet the above and have a negative pregnancy test.

inclusion criteria: - ≥ 18 years presenting symptoms who test positive for covid-19 - moderate to severe patients obtained consent - hypoxic respiratory failure (saturation <90% on air at rest or increasing oxygen requirement) - chest examination findings of bilateral crackles on auscultation or chest x-ray showing bilateral infiltrates - c-reactive protein > 50mg/l - women of childbearing potential who meet the above and have a negative pregnancy test.