inclusion criteria (case definition) * consented adults (age ≥18 years) and * covid-19 suspicious and * admitted to hospital or already in hospital and * covid-19 suggestive symptoms (fever or febrile equivalent, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, etc.) that may be present or absent at randomization time and * sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) * shortness of breath (dyspnea) or * image of typical or atypical pneumonia or * oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria * clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine * pregnant or breastfeeding female. * chronic renal disease with creatinine clearance \<15 ml/min/m2 * negative pcr test for sars-cov2

inclusion criteria (case definition) * consented adults (age ≥18 years) and * covid-19 suspicious and * admitted to hospital or already in hospital and * covid-19 suggestive symptoms (fever or febrile equivalent, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, etc.) that may be present or absent at randomization time and * sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) * shortness of breath (dyspnea) or * image of typical or atypical pneumonia or * oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria * clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine * pregnant or breastfeeding female. * chronic renal disease with creatinine clearance \<15 ml/min/m2 * negative pcr test for sars-cov2

inclusion criteria (case definition) - consented adults (age ≥18 years) and - covid-19 suspicious and - admitted to hospital or already in hospital and - covid-19 suggestive symptoms (fever or febrile equivalent, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, etc.) that may be present or absent at randomization time and - sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) - shortness of breath (dyspnea) or - image of typical or atypical pneumonia or - oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria - clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine - pregnant or breastfeeding female. - chronic renal disease with creatinine clearance <15 ml/min/m2 - negative pcr test for sars-cov2

inclusion criteria (case definition) - consented adults (age ≥18 years) and - covid-19 suspicious and - admitted to hospital or already in hospital and - covid-19 suggestive symptoms (fever or febrile equivalent, loss of smell and taste, fatigue, etc.) that may be present or absent at randomization time and - sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) - shortness of breath (dyspnea) or - image of typical or atypical pneumonia or - oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria - clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine - pregnant or breastfeeding female. - chronic renal disease with creatinine clearance <15 ml/min/m2 - negative pcr test for sars-cov2

inclusion criteria (case definition) - consented adults (age ≥18 years) - covid-19 suspicious and - admitted to hospital or already in hospital and - fever (with or without at the time of randomization) and - sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) - shortness of breath (dyspnea) or - image of typical or atypical pneumonia or - oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria - hospitalized patients with known covid-19 negative pcr or - clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine - pregnant or breastfeeding female.

inclusion criteria (case definition) - consented adults (age ≥18 years) - covid-19 suspicious and - admitted to hospital or already in hospital and - fever (with or without at the time of randomization) and - sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) - shortness of breath (dyspnea) or - image of typical or atypical pneumonia or - oxygen desaturation (spo2 ≤ 93) exclusion criteria - hospitalized patients with known covid-19 negative pcr or - clear indication or contraindication for the use of colchicine - pregnant or breastfeeding female.