Geneva, June 18 (RHC)-- The WHO has welcomed the findings of a "breakthrough" study on a steroid treatment for people suffering from severe cases of COVID-19.

"This is the first treatment to be shown to reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19 requiring oxygen or ventilator support," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said in a statement. "This is great news."

The researchers shared initial insights about the results of the trial with WHO, which will update its clinical guidance on how and when the drug should be used in COVID-19.

Dexamethasone is a steroid that has been used since the 1960s to reduce inflammation in a range of conditions, including inflammatory disorders and certain cancers.