The head of WHO announced a scientific breakthrough in the treatment of coronavirus

- This is the first medicine that showed a decrease in mortality among patients with COVID-19 who need oxygen treatment or mechanical ventilation. This is great news, and I congratulate the UK government, Oxford University, and many hospitals and patients in the UK who have contributed to this scientific breakthrough that will save lives, - said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhan Gebreyesus.

WHO reported that the UK provided the organization with preliminary test results. WHO is now “looking forward” to a full analysis of the information in the near future.

The trial involved 2104 patients. They took six milligrams of the drug every day for ten days.

The cost of the drug in Britain is about five pounds (437 rubles). The medication has been known for over 60 years, it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

At the same time, according to RIA Novosti, Egypt claims to be the first at the beginning of the use of dexamethasone against COVID-19.

“The United Kingdom succeeded in being able to replicate this medicine through the media, although Egypt had used it before”, said Hussam Hosni, head of the Egyptian Coronavirus Scientific Committee.

He stressed that this drug can only be used in medical facilities and only under the supervision of doctors.

In Russia, meanwhile, they are starting clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine developed with the participation of military experts.

- In the next few days at the end of two weeks of isolation will be vaccinated first group of volunteers, whose main objective - the security check and tolerability of the vaccine components, - stated in the Ministry of Defense.

To date, more than eight million cases of coronavirus infection have been detected in the world. Almost four million patients recovered. More than 440 thousand people died.