HIV drugs touted as weapon in war on coronavirus

A resident is seen wearing a gas mask walking up a flight of steps to an overpass in Hong Kong, China, on Tuesday (Feb. 4). Hong Kong reported a death from the coronavirus, confirming the second fatality outside mainland China, where the number of cases has topped 20,000. - Bloomberg

BEIJING/BANGKOK: As doctors scramble to contain the fast-spreading coronavirus, a potent brew of anti-retroviral and flu drugs has emerged as a possible defence against the disease that has killed hundreds.

But the science is inconclusive on whether they are actually effective, and experts say a specific treatment could take years to develop.