DR ANTHONY Fauci has doubled down on his opposition to hydroxychloroquine as an effective treatment for the coronavirus, despite President Donald Trump’s continued support of the drug.

On Wednesday, Dr Fauci pleaded with Americans again to “follow the science” when it comes to treatment for coronavirus.

“We’ve got to follow the science. If a study that’s a good study comes out and shows efficacy and safety for hydroxychloroquine or any other drug that we do, if you do it in the right way you accept the scientific data,” Dr Fauci said.

“But right now, today the cumulative scientific data that has been put together and done over a number of different studies has shown no efficacy.

“So when there’s a video out there for a bunch of people spouting something that isn’t true the only recourse you have is to be very, very clear in presenting the scientific data that essentially contradicts that,” he added.

Fauci’s comments came a day after the president said he still thinks hydroxychloroquine works against COVID-19.

During a press conference Tuesday evening, Trump was asked by a reporter about a video he shared on Twitter that went viral across social media platforms that claimed hydroxychloroquine is a “cure for Covid.”

“I wasn’t making claims,” Trump said of his tweet, noting that he was passing along recommendations from other people, including doctors.

“Many doctors think it is extremely successful, the hydroxychloroquine coupled with the zinc and perhaps the azithromycin. Many doctors think it’s extremely good, and some people don’t,” he said.

“I happen to believe in it. I would take it. As you know, I took it for a 14-day period. And as you know, I’m here. I happen to think it works in the early stages.”

The president insisted the drug was safe, saying he had “no problems.”

“It’s safe, it doesn’t cause problems. I had no problems, I had absolutely no problems. I felt no different. I didn’t feel good, bad or different and I tested, as you know, it didn’t get me,” Trump said.

The video was later labeled as containing misleading information and has since been taken down from social media platforms.

Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat malaria and is often used by doctors to treat rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Although, it is known to have serious side effects, including muscle weakness and heart arrhythmia.

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