BBC: Cheap, Widely-Available Drug Could Be Key To Fighting COVID

Research detailed in a new report from the BBC says a widely-available and inexpensive drug could be a game-changer in the fight against COVID-19. Dexamethason is a steroid and low doses of it have proven to cut the risk of death by 1/3 in patients on ventilators.

The report says that for patients on oxygen, the risk of death could be cut by 20%. Researchers say poorer countries could benefit most from the use of the drug because mass quantities can be sent into hard-hit areas.

This week, a separate study revealed that patients with chronic conditions have death rates that are 12 times higher after contracting COVID-19 than patients without chronic conditions. These conditions include heart disease, diabetes and lung diseases.

[BBC, NBC News]