U.K. SCIENTISTS IDENTIFY FIRST DRUG PROVEN TO REDUCE COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS AMONG SEVERELY ILL
Jun 16, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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Oxford scientists claim to have identified the first drug proven to reduce COVID-19 related deaths when given to hospitalized patients.
A trial of 6,000 patients in Britain showed it reduced deaths by one-third in those receiving ventilation, and by one-fifth in patients receiving only oxygen treatment.
One of the chief researchers says the low-cost steroid; dexamethasone, should now become the ”standard of care” in these patients, pointing out it’s ”inexpensive, widely available and can be used immediately.”
Canada’s chief public health officer says a study of the drug at Oxford University is encouraging.
But Dr. Theresa Tam says more study will be needed before approving it for use here.
”We will look with great interest towards the actual publication of this randomized control trial … We would like to certainly examine the trial results,” adds Dr. Tam.