According to studies presented at the 2022 Critical Care Congress, the annual meeting of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, zinc use shortly before or after hospitalization of COVID-19 patients did not result in benefits.

Data from the CRUSH COVID registry involving 2028 COVID-19 patients, showed that 1090 patients did not receive zinc, while 938 patients had used zinc one week prior to, or within 48 hours of, hospital admission. 

The zinc group had a decreased risk of developing ARDS, with an Odds Ratio (OR) of.146 (95 % CI,.097—.219, P.001). Patients on zinc were also less likely to be prescribed dexamethasone OR =.617 (95 % CI.462—.823, P =.001), methylprednisolone OR =.231 (95 % CI,.130—.412, P.001), or hydrocortisone therapy OR =.228, (95 % CI,.119—.438, P.001), or hydrocortisone therapy OR =.228, (95 %). There was no difference in the risk of having a stroke in the hospital OR =.945 (95 % CI,.557—1.60, P = 0.835).

Zinc use may be associated with improved clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A prospective randomized trial was necessary to establish causality and effect a change in clinical practice recommendations. (Medscape - Apr 26, 2022.), Crit Care Med.  January 2022doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000807104.82650.d6