- patients requiring immediate intubation or deemed likely to die within 48 hours. - patients deemed likely for transfer to an icu within 48 hours. - patients currently taking oral corticosteroids for any reason at the time of presentation for care. - patients included in any other interventional trial. - uncontrolled bacterial superinfection. - severe chronic kidney disease (stage 4) or requiring dialysis (i.e. egfr < 30). - pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. - immunocompromised patients. - any patient with recent treatment (past 30 days) of immunosuppressive agents including (but not restricted to) dmards, corticosteroids, antibody therapy, intravenous immunoglobulins etc. - patients with acute myocardial infarction.

- patients requiring immediate intubation or deemed likely to die within 48 hours. - patients deemed likely for transfer to an icu within 48 hours. - patients currently taking oral corticosteroids for any reason at the time of presentation for care. - patients included in any other interventional trial. - uncontrolled bacterial superinfection. - severe chronic kidney disease (stage 4) or requiring dialysis (i.e. egfr < 30). - pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. - immunocompromised patients. - any patient with recent treatment (past 30 days) of immunosuppressive agents including (but not restricted to) dmards, corticosteroids, antibody therapy, intravenous immunoglobulins etc. - patients with acute myocardial infarction.