Researchers from the University of Manitoba are looking for volunteers to test if a malaria drug will prevent the contraction of COVID-19.

Max Rady College of Medicine's Dr. Ryan Zarychanski's team is looking for volunteers who either live with people who have contracted COVID-19 or front-line healthcare workers who are exposed to the virus.

The team will be testing a well-known drug called Hydroxychloroquine to see if it helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hydroxychloroquine is approved by Health Canada and is commonly used to prevent malaria, but has also been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

“This trial is important because it will be the first COVID-19 clinical trial open in Manitoba and it is squarely focused on flattening the curve," the trial's team leader Dr.  Zarychanski says. This trial is one of six trials that Dr. Zarychanski is coordinating in response to COVID-19.

The clinical trial will be taking place in Manitoba, Quebec, and parts of the United States.

The drug will be shipped to volunteers due to the trial's nature of testing COVID-19's contamination.

Manitobans who are wishing to participate in the trial are asked to visit covid-19research.ca. Volunteers can then fill out an online screening questionnaire to determine their eligibility.