In elderly subjects, the decrease in circulating zinc concentration is associated with increased levels of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (Mariani et al., 2006; Barnett et al., 2010), making it a qualified candidate as a prophylaxis and adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 in high-risk groups. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and COVID-19.