New drug used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients

The Health Department says it’s pleased about the results of the affordable life-saving drug used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients.

The news of the drug comes as the number of COVID-19 cases increased to 76 334.

Minister, Zweli Mkhize, says the Recovery Trial, based at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, published results on the merits of low dose dexamethasone, which are extremely promising.

According to the minister the drugs are also easily implementable here in South Africa.

Dexamethasone is a well-known and widely used steroid which has potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Mkhize says it’s used in allergic reactions, asthma and other conditions where the inflammatory component of the disease needs to be controlled for better outcomes.

The World Health Organisation has welcomed the initial clinical trial and says they are looking forward to the full data analysis in the coming days.

Meanwhile, South Africa has recorded 57 more coronavirus related deaths, of which 44 are from the Western Cape, nine from the Eastern Cape and four from KZN bringing the total death toll to 1 625.

By: Gagasi FM News