SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KBHB) – Sanford Health announced Friday that the South Dakota hydroxychloroquine trial has been discontinued.

According to a Sanford Health release, it was cut after new research finds the drug was not helping prevent COVID-19.

The results of that research by the University of Minnesota was published in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this week. It was one of the country’s first randomized trials of the drug.

Health Secretary Kim Malsom-Rysdon was asked about it during today’s COVID-19 update call.

Dr. Susan Hoover, Sanford Health infections disease doctor and principal investigator of the study said in the release they remain focused on their goal of advancing the science around this virus and will continue to pursue other COVID-19 research.