Researchers find drug to help very sick COVID-19 patients

British researchers have found the first drug shown to reduce deaths among severely ill coronavirus patients.

A cheap, widely available steroid called dexamethasone is showing promising results.

Dexamethasone reduced deaths by 35 per cent in patients who needed treatment with breathing machines.

There was a 20 per cent decrease in deaths for those only needing supplemental oxygen.

Researchers say the drug does not appear to help less ill patients.