The government has announced that thousands more NHS patients who are hospitalised due to coronavirus will be able to receive life-saving treatment tocilizumab.

The drug reduced the relative risk of death by 14 per cent and reduced the time spent in hospital by five days when used for patients on oxygen and in addition to the corticosteroid dexamethasone. It is hoped that the roll-out of this treatment could also contribute significantly towards reducing pressures on hospitals over the coming weeks and months.

Last month, the international clinical trial REMAP-CAP found that tocilizumab and sarilumab reduced the risk of death for patients when administered within 24 hours of entering intensive care. This is in addition to the latest findings by RECOVERY, run by the University of Oxford, which shows that a much larger group of hospitalised patients can also benefit from the drug if it is given to those outside of intensive care with oxygen deficiency and showing signs of worsening – meaning potentially thousands more lives could be saved.

The government is working closely with the manufacturer Roche to ensure the drug is available across NHS healthcare settings.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Today’s excellent news is further proof the UK is at the forefront of the global mission to find safe and effective treatments for this terrible virus. I want to thank all those who have played a part in generating these tremendous results – from the British scientists and researchers behind the trial, to the thousands of patients who took part across the country.

“We are working quickly and closely with colleagues across the health system and sector to ensure every NHS patient who needs this treatment should be able to access it – reducing further pressures on the NHS and potentially saving thousands of lives.”