Scientists are still testing, but it’s looking promising.
To date, there are over 7.8 million cases of Covid-19 worldwide. Scientists have been hard at work developing a vaccine ever since the outbreak happened, but with little development.
UPDATED: Regeneron and Eli Lilly are now in the clinic with coronavirus antibody therapeutics.
The hope is these drugs can be effective for BOTH preventing and treating COVID-19. Could be ready to use this fall, before vaccines are ready https://t.co/Qu6qEdrumH
— Andrew Dunn (@AndrewE_Dunn) June 11, 2020
But we might finally have a breakthrough!
According to BBC, scientists may have discovered a drug that could save the lives of those tested positive for the coronavirus.
The drug is called Dexamethasone, and it is a type of steroid treatment. Dexamethasone is also reportedly involved in the trial test of existing treatments to see if they also work on the coronavirus. The drug was given either orally or through an IV.
Cheap steroid cuts death rates significantly for seriously ill Covid-19 patients in intensive care, drug trial finds https://t.co/EW7at9AAoJ
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 16, 2020
I’m not one to buy into hype about coronavirus treatments. But reading the preliminary results of the RECOVERY trial for COVID-19 patients on ventilators given dexamethasone, I’m genuinely impressed and look forward to seeing official results. Dexamethasone may be a game changer.
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) June 16, 2020
Big Shootout to Pakistani Doctors, who developed COVID-19 treatment protocol that included use of Dexamethasone in hospitalised patients 60 days back, that definitely lead to decrease mortality in Pakistan and recoveries in ICU!
— Faisal Ranjha (@ranjha001) June 16, 2020
It’s also good to note that the drug is cheap and widely available. It costs roughly £5 (RM27) for a ten-day dexamethasone treatment per person, so overall, it takes only £35 (RM189) to save a life.
The drug reportedly helps stop some of the damage that can happen to a person’s body when their immune system goes into overdrive as it tries to fight off the coronavirus. So far it is the only drug that shows to reduce mortality.
Today, we’ve approved Dexamethasone for immediate use across our NHS.
This life-saving discovery was made in Britain and is a testament to the brilliant work of scientists & the national effort to save lives & protect our NHS.
— Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) June 16, 2020
However, do note that you should not go to the pharmacy and buy it on your own as “dexamethasone does not appear to help people with milder symptoms of coronavirus”.
We are getting closer to finding a cure, so this is good news!
What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below!
Header Image : Twitter | NY Times
