Coronavirus treatment breakthrough “will save thousands of lives

The first medicine that’s been proven to reduce deaths among people infected with coronavirus is expected to save thousands of lives.

Dexamethasone is a cheap steroid drug that has been in use for 60 years. A team at Oxford University has demonstrated that it significantly reduces deaths among people with Covid-19 who are on oxygen or on a ventilator.

The researchers looked at around 6,000 patients across the UK who were seriously ill and on a ventilator or requiring oxygen. The drug was found to cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators and a fifth for those requiring oxygen.

The government's chief scientific adviser says it's a ground-breaking development and the drug is to be given immediately to all Covid-19 patients who could benefit from it.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Medical Correspondent Fergus Walsh.

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