Two types of steroid found to save lives of some Covid-19 patients

Analysis of seven trials finds dexamethasone and hydrocortisone should be given in severe cases

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Studies around the world have confirmed that steroids can save lives in the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to new recommendations from the World Heath Organization that doctors should give them to severely ill patients.

In June, the Recovery trial run in most NHS hospitals and led by Oxford University found that the lives of one in eight people sick enough from Covid-19 to need a ventilator could be saved by a steroid called dexamethasone.