What doctors have learned about fighting COVID-19:

• Patients are at increased risk of blood clots, and blood thinning agents can help.

• “Proning” – putting patients on their stomachs to relieve pressure on the lungs – can stave off the need for mechanical ventilation.

• Besides the respiratory system and lungs, the coronavirus can attack many other organs, including the heart, liver, kidneys, and brain.

• The most promising treatments so far seem to be the anti-viral remdesivir; dexamethasone, a steroid to treat the body’s inflammatory response to COVID-19; and plasma donated by patients who have antibodies to the disease.

• More widespread testing and quicker results helps relieve pressure on hospitals.

• Information-sharing among health professionals worldwide is crucial.

• Prevention is critical. Doctors are relying on the public to do their part with good hygiene, masks and social distancing.

Some of the biggest unknowns:

• Exactly which treatments will work for which patients.

• How quickly some treatments will gain widespread distribution, especially remdesivir.

• How long it will take for COVID-19 patients to recover.

• The long-term effects of the infection.