A Cambridgeshire man who was given a trial drug for Covid-19 whilst in intensive care at Addenbrooke’s hospital, has welcomed news that the treatment can save lives.
Pete Herring, 69, took part in the RECOVERY trial, which is a large trial testing possible treatments for Covid-19. He was treated with dexamethasone – a low cost steroid – which has now been shows to reduce deaths by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of Covid-19.
Mr Herring, who is feeling full of energy now that he has recovered from Covid-19, said:
It is very exciting news to hear that researchers have found a treatment that works. I know it was touch and go for me at one point. Maybe this drug helped to save my life.
Mr Herring was admitted to Addenbrooke’s hospital with Covid-19 at the end of April. He spent five days on the intensive care unit being given concentrated oxygen through a mask (known as CPAP), as well as the trial drug.
Addenbrooke’s hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH), has been recruiting patients to take part in RECOVERY, which is led by Oxford University, since March this year.
This is wonderful and uplifting news for patients suffering from this terrible illness. I would like to thank all patients in Addenbrooke’s who have taken part to date, and all the staff who supported the trial locally. Ongoing trials will look to build on these exciting findings.
Dr Martin Knolle, consultant at Addenbrooke’s, who has been leading the Cambridge end of the trial.
For more information on the national trial visit https://www.recoverytrial.net/