COVID-19 Clinical Trial Enrollment At WFBH Increases Amid Surge In Hospitalizations

The surge in COVID-19 cases has led to an enrollment increase in a drug treatment study at Wake Forest Baptist Health. The Phase 2 clinical trial aims to determine whether drugs already in use could be repurposed to treat severe COVID-19. 

Patients enrolled in the nationwide trial are randomly assigned to either the control group or one of four already approved drugs that researchers believe may be helpful in fighting COVID-19. 

Back in September, 15 patients with severe COVID-19 were enrolled at the trial's Wake Forest Baptist Health site. That number has more than tripled since then. 

Dr. Clark Files, co-principal investigator for the trial's WFBH site, says that's due in part to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. But he says they've also increased recruitment efforts. 

“We are doing a lot of outreach to community hospitals that have traditionally not participated in clinical trials to try to bring them on and give patients that traditionally have not really had access to clinical trials, access to this trial," he said.

Files says patients interested in enrolling in the trial should ask members of their health care team about their eligibility. 

For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus in North Carolina, visit our Live Updates blog here. WFDD wants to hear your stories — connect with us and let us know what you're experiencing.