Brazil's health ministry recommended using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to treat even mild cases of Covid-19, a treatment President Jair Bolsonaro has pushed for despite a lack of conclusive evidence of their effectiveness, according to AFP.

New federal guidelines released by the ministry recommend doctors prescribe the anti-malarial drugs from the onset of symptoms of coronavirus infection, together with the antibiotic azithromycin.

Patients will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging they have been informed of potential side effects, including heart and liver problems and retina damage.