On Jul. 24, 2024, the University of Hong Kong released a study that showed hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir–ritonavir (Paxlovid) are at lower risk for death, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and need for ventilation than those given a combination of Paxlovid and the antiviral drug remdesivir (Veklury) or Veklury alone.

Recipients of Paxlovid alone had a significantly reduced risk of heart attack, acute kidney injury, anemia, hyperglycemia, and abnormal blood clotting than those receiving Veklury alone. Patients given combination treatment had a significantly lower risk of abnormal clotting than those receiving Veklury alone. The study was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.