Study shows Remdesivir significantly reduces Covid hospitalizations

(KYMA, KECY/ CNN) - A new study found that the antiviral drug Remdesivir significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization among high-risk Covid-19 patients.

The drug was tested on 562 people considered high-risk for severe Covid-19 based on their health conditions and age. Half of them received the drug and other half received a placebo.

The group that got the drug saw an 87% reduction in risk of hospitalization by day 28 an there was an 81% reduced risk of dying compared with the group that got a placebo.

The antiviral was the first drug to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Covid-19. It is approved for treatment of hospitalized adult and pediatric patients age 12 and older, and has emergency use authorization for treatment of younger children.

It is approved for use only in a hospital or health care setting and needs to be administered by an IV.