CAPE TOWN- South Africa has recorded 49 more Covid-19 related deaths, bringing the national death toll to 1 674, while the cumulative number of cases is 80 412, an increase of 4 078.
Recoveries to date are 44 331, which translates to a recovery rate of 55 percent.
Health minister Zweli Mkhize said announced a breakthrough in one of the therapeutic trials for Covid-19 management. The RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy) trial has published results on the therapeutic merits of low dose Dexamethasone.
Dexamethasone is a widely used steroid which has anti-inflammatory properties.
"The Department of Health and the Ministerial Advisory Committee has recommended that dexamethasone can be considered for use on patients on ventilators and on oxygen supply," said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
"We believe that this will improve our management of the disease among those who are most severely affected.
"The disease, and the measures we have taken to fight it, have caused massive disruption in the lives of our people, bringing our economy to a standstill and threatening the livelihoods of millions," he said.
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