Dexamethasone Reduces COVID-19 Mortality Concludes Oxford Study

The University of Oxford announced that the steroid dexamethasone reduced up to one-third of COVID-19 deaths on severely ill hospitalised patients providing evidence that this drug can increase chances of survival. The study revealed that dexamethasone reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients and by one-fifth in other patients receiving oxygen only. The researchers will publish the full results of the study soon.

"The survival benefit is clear and large in those patients who are sick enough to require oxygen treatment, so dexamethasone should now become standard of care in these patients. Dexamethasone is inexpensive, on the shelf, and can be used immediately to save lives worldwide," said Peter Horby, a Chief Investigator in the trial.