Fig. 1: The clinical course of COVID-19 and early intervention by fluvoxamine.

The three escalating phases of COVID-19 progression, with associated symptoms. Approximately 80% of SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects is mild to moderate (stage I). The remaining 20% may convert to severe clinical stages in about 1 week (stage II). Subsequently, the part of stage II (~5% of total) may convert to stage III, ultimately resulting in intubation or death. Being a cheap antidepressant, fluvoxamine can be used in the early-stage of COVID-19. However, its use for COVID-19 was not yet approved. ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome, SIRS systemic inflammatory response syndrome. A slight modification with Fig. 1 in the reference [1]. Some materials of the figure have been designated using resources from www.irasutoya.com.