Oxford University trial shows low-cost steroid drug ‘dexamethasone’ reduced COVID-19 deaths by up to one-third in severely-ill ventilated patients. Anti-inflammatory medicine dexamethasone is used since early 1960s to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. A total of 2,104 patients received 6mg dexamethasone for ten days and were compared with 4,321 patients receiving usual care.