19 December, 2025, 6:06 pm Central - 24°C Rain

COVID19: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug

COVID19: Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug

By Semi Turaga
17/06/2020

A cheap and widely available drug can help save the lives of patients seriously ill with COVID-19.

The low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone (dek·suh·meh·thuh·sown)is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus.

Experts in the UK have told the BBC that the drug has cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators.

For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.

The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus.

Researchers told the BBC that had the drug had been used to treat patients in the UK from the start of the pandemic, up to 5,000 lives could have been saved.

And it could be of huge benefit in poorer countries with high numbers of Covid-19 patients.

FEATURE NEWS
FCCC CEO defends independence after Ro Filipe expresses dissatisfaction on EFL tariff increase
Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Chief Executive Officer, Senikavika Jiuta says the Commission is an independent body, following Minister fo...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Jittu Estate set to host Vuvale Fun Day to empower community and youth
Jittu Estate will come alive tomorrow during Vuvale Fun Day, a community event hosted by Inspire Pacific which is designed to unite families and ...
18 minutes ago

Govt doesn't interfere in electricity pricing decisions - PM
Following the announcement in the increase in electricity tariff rates from January 1st, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has stressed that while ...
20 minutes ago

New e-ticketing system complies with legal receipt requirements - LTA
The new e-ticketing system fully complies with all legal requirements for issuing fare payment receipts, which are now provided electronically and ...
1 hour ago

$8.8M bridge upgrade to improve accessibility for Taveuni
Accessibility for the people of Taveuni is expected to improve as work on four key bridges worth a total of $8.8 million has begun.While ...
2 hours ago

Mandatory TIN Requirement for mobile wallet accounts due 31st Dec - FRCS
People are being reminded by the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service that a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a mandatory requirement ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States has expressed serious concern about human trafficking indicators linked to the Grace Road Group in Fiji, as highlighted in the 2025 ...
23 hours ago

Human trafficking allegations and issues relating to Grace Road Group
Human trafficking allegations and concerns linked to the Grace Road Group/+ARTICLE-311061+ARTICLE/PM says Govt cannot interfere into any human ...
1 day ago

Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
7 days ago

TOP