Table 1 Inclusion criteria

1) Adults (≥18 years old),

2) Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection based on a positive RT-PCR test

3) Requiring in-hospital care

4) Imaging study compatible with pneumonia,

5) At least one of the following criteria

 a). Dyspnea

 b). Lung infiltrates occupying > 50% of lung fields by CT scan

 c) PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 mmHg

 d). Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) < 90% while breathing room air, a ≥ 3% drop in baseline SpO2, or the need of increased flow rates of supplemental oxygen in the case of chronic hypoxia; and the need for supplemental oxygen therapy according to the treating medical team’s judgment.

 e). Alteration of one or more of the following laboratory parameters

  • D-dimer > 1 μg/mL

  • Ferritin level > 300 ng/mL

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) > 3 mg/L

  • Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 245 U/L

  • Lymphopenia, defined as < 800 lymphocytes/uL

  • Creatine kinase (CK) level > 800 IU/L