How Lancs researchers helped global Covid breakthrough

Good evening,

In what sounds like the best news we’ve had since the Covid-19 crisis began, a drug has been found which is the first shown to save the lives of some people who have contracted Coronavirus.

Though far from a cure, this is a significant discovery, not least because this is a cheap drug widely available and will be familiar to those who have suffered from severe asthma or other lung conditions.

We certainly needed this ray of light -it has been proven to cut the risk of death by a third of those patients on ventilators - and for those oxygen it cuts deaths by a fifth.

What’s more - clearly in hope - supplies of the drug have been stockpiled by the NHS.

Welcome news - though perhaps bittersweet for those who have already had to contend with this terrible virus and in some cases lost their lives.

But this drug won’t be able to help everyone and as we make our way slowly but surely from the peak of this crisis we need to remember to stay aware that it is still very much possible to catch Covid-19 so not to let our guard down.

Nicola Adam

Deputy Editor

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