NI virus survivor hails ‘wonder drug’ treatment

A WOMAN from Northern Ireland who was infected with Covid-19 twice has said she feels lucky to be alive after taking part in a UK drug trial.

Mother-of-three Angela Breen (37) from Co Down said she felt close to death when admitted to the Ulster Hospital in May.

She had previously recovered from the virus in March.

“I had difficulty breathing, had terrible pains in my chest and honestly thought I might die,” she told the BBC.

When offered the experimental treatment of dexamethasone, a commonly used steroid which has been hailed as a Covid wonder drug, she said she had nothing to lose.

“I was put on the drug and every day after than felt a little better and then I was discharged after seven days,” she said.

Researchers from the University of Oxford said trial results showed it reduced death rates of the most severely ill patients by around a third.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the drug as the “biggest breakthrough yet” in the fight against the pandemic and it was also welcomed by the Health Minister Robin Swann.

Dr Tom Trinick, a consultant chemical pathologist at the Ulster Hospital, told the BBC he agreed it was an important breakthrough.

“We are absolutely delighted because it means that a third of our hospitalised, seriously ill patients with pneumonic forms of Covid-19 will live.”

Despite the positive reception in the UK, some American experts have cast doubt on the drug’s effectiveness and said more data is needed.

One study on the experimental use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment was withdrawn this month by The Lancet over data concerns.

Dr Kathryn Hibbert, director of the intensive care unit at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital, said: “We have been burned before, not just during the coronavirus pandemic but even pre-covid, with exciting results that when we have access to the data are not as convincing.”

The UK Government has already approved the use of the cheap and widely available steroid on coronavirus patients in NHS hospitals.

Professor Peter Horby of Oxford University said the Recovery Trial project findings showed the drug would, on average, prevent one death in every eight Covid-19 patients in intensive care units.

Mr Swann said yesterday: “This is an important breakthrough in the treatment of coronavirus, in particular in reducing the risk of dying from the infection.

“Dexamethasone is ready available to be immediately used in our hospitals for the treatment of Covid-19.

“The positive findings for dexamethasone will allow us to roll the drug out across Northern Ireland in advance of a potential second wave.

“[This will] provide huge benefits to those most impacted by the infection, ultimately helping to save lives.”

Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael Mcbride, also expressed optimism of the drug’s effectiveness. He said: “The clinical trials started in March and I am delighted the results are so positive.

“Dexamethasone is a wellknown and widely available drug which will significantly reduce mortality in those who require oxygen or ventilation as a result of Covid-19. I will issue advice to clinicians shortly.”

❝ This is an important breakthrough in the treatment of Covid-19, reducing the risk of death