McAlister FA, Wang T, Wang X, et al. - Researchers sought to test the hypothesis that statin users are at lower risk of dying with COVID‐19 in a large, population‐based cohort of adults in two of Canada’s most populous provinces: Ontario and Alberta.

• Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction swab positivity rates for SARS‐CoV‐2 were assessed in adults using statins vs nonusers.

• Between January and June 2020, a positive reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction swab for SARS‐CoV‐2 was recorded in 2.4% of 226,142 tested individuals aged 18 to 65 years, 2.7% of 88,387 people aged 66 to 75 years, and 4.1% of 154,950 people older than 75 years.

• Risk of testing positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 appeared comparable among patients taking statins vs statin nonusers, and there were similar outcomes within 30 days of a positive test for those younger than 75 years.

• More emergency department visits and hospitalizations, but lower 30‐day all‐cause mortality risk, were recorded for patients older than 75 years with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 test and who were taking statins.