Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the drug dexamethasone has a very limited, but helpful effect on patients. He says according to estimates about 42 percent of patients on ventilators have succumbed to the coronavirus. Mkhize says it’s hoped that the steroid will reduce this number.
“It reduces the number of people who die, it doesn’t necessarily stop anyone from succumbing to COVID-19. The second aspect is that it has no effect on people who have got milder symptoms. However, our biggest concern I that it is associated with comorbidities…” said Mkhize.
Meanwhile, Mkhize says some COVID-19 patients in the Western Cape have refused to go into isolation or quarantine. He says this is a major concern.
The province has over 51,000 infections. Coronavirus Hotline Number: 0800 029 999 from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Help protect your loved ones by sharing this official South African government COVID-19 service with your family, friends and community. Send HI to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp.
The NICD has another Clinician Hotline to improve #COVID19 communication and support for healthcare providers. The Clinician Hotline is 0800 11 1131, operating 24 hrs. The Public Hotline is 0800 029 999 also operating 24hrs.
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Source: eNCA
