Coronavirus Australia live news: Daniel Andrews provides Victoria coronavirus update, surge of arrivals at Queensland border after state lifts travel bans – ABC News

While it looks promising, Nial Wheate, an associate professor and program director of undergraduate pharmacy at the University of Sydney, says more work needs to be done. He warns that there are “potential complications with using dexamethasone”, including the suppression of the immune system and it only being useful for patients who are having difficulty breathing.
The results of the clinical trial are preliminary.
So we need to wait for the full study data and scientific peer review before we can make a definitive decision as to whether dexamethasone treatment is a worthwhile, and safe, addition to COVID-19 therapy in Australia.
William Petri, a professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia, wrote for the Conversation about other drugs which may be useful in treating COVID-19. He writes:
Steroids: yes for almost all COVID-19 patients
When a synthetic steroid hormone, called dexamethasone, was given to patients with COVID-19 the drug decreased 28-day mortality by 17 per cent and hastened hospital discharge.
This work was performed in a randomised and controlled clinical trial of over 6,000 patients, and while not replicated in another study or yet peer reviewed, is certainly enough evidence to recommend its use.
REMINDER: This is general advice, and you should consult your doctor before taking any medications which you have not been prescribed.

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