PGH-Based Virgin Coconut Oil Clinical Trial for Covid-19 to go Beyond May 31

The hospital-based clinical trial to assess the possible benefits of virgin coconut oil (VCO) if given to patients with moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will go beyond the timeline, which was supposed to end by May 31, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said last week. 

The clinical trial was orginally scheduled from June 01, 2020 to May 31, 2021.  However, dela Peña explained, there were times when severe cases admissions at Philippine General Hospital where the trials were being done had decreased, so there were fewer clinical trial participants. There are more patients now, numbering 42 out of the 74 target participants, according to de la Peña.