Inexpensive steroids reduce deaths of hospitalized Covid-19 patients, WHO analysis confirms

Inexpensive, easily available steroids could reduce deaths among hospitalized Covid-19 patients by almost a third, according to new data from seven clinical trials conducted by the WHO. A cohort of nearly 680 patients — all with confirmed Covid-19 and all hospitalized for it — were given corticosteroids. Compared to a group of 1,025 patients who were given usual care or a placebo, the treated group saw a 34% reduction in death. Fewer patients in the treatment group experienced side effects compared to the control group. Based on these results, the WHO has now issued guidelines recommending corticosteroids as the standard of care for "severe and critical" Covid-19 patients, specifying that they ought to be on treatment for 7-10 days.