Dr Hilary Jones has urged people not to get carried away after scientists discovered a breakthrough coronavirus drug, which could reduce Covid-19 deaths.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that a clinical trial in the UK, involving 175 different hospitals, found that the drug dexamethasone can help reduce the mortality rate by a third for those on ventilators.
And while the Good Morning Britain regular was excited by the news, he did come with a stark warning.
‘We mustn’t get carried away by a report that says we have cut the death rate by a third of people on ventilators,’ the expert said. ‘Look, the death rate even with dexamethasone is still 28 per cent.
‘So, it’s still massively high, this is still a very nasty virus.’
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The GP added: ‘The future for our country in terms of health, means people must still be really careful about social distancing. That with handwashing is still going to be the most controlling thing until we have a very robust test and trace system.’
However, there was some good news from the 66-year-old, as he went on to say: ‘It is really promising and has cut the death rates in a randomised clinical trial.
‘The 28-day mortality rate has decreased by almost 17 per cent, so that’s almost a fifth of people surviving that perhaps wouldn’t have survived without dexamethasone.’
Explaining how the drug works, he stated: ‘Dexamethasone has been around for a long time, it suppresses the immune response when that becomes overwhelming and dangerous. We know with some people with the inflammation Covid-19 causes, you get fluid pouring into the lung and inflammation, this suppresses all of that.
‘We’ve used this drug for many years to reduce swelling on the brain and to damp down the immune system for arthritis and skin inflammations.
‘We haven’t used it before because, in theory, the steroid makes an infection worse. When the immune response is over-exaggerated that’s when it becomes useful. So this clinical trial has show real benefit over risk.’
However, Dr Hilary made sure to stress: ‘It is of no use whatsoever in people who have a mild disease, so if you’re not using oxygen or in need of a ventilator it will not benefit you whatsoever.
‘Please don’t go rushing to the shop asking for dexamethasone, it’s not a preventative.
‘It’s readily available it is cheap as chips and can be taken in tablet form, so in countries where people can’t get to the hospital, it will make a huge difference potentially.
‘Piece by piece we’re getting on top of the virus and there is hope for the future.’
Good Morning Britain continues weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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