The World Health Organization has prequalified a drug aimed at arthritis treatment for use in patients hospitalised with severe Covid-19.

In a statement, the WHO said prequalification will also facilitate low- and middle-income countries' authorization of it as Covid treatment.

The monoclonal antibody, tocilizumab, used in anti-inflammatory drugs made by a Swiss pharma company, has shown to reduce the risk of death and also hospitalization time in certain patients suffering from severe Covid.

In another development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has indicated to use all options to end truckers' protest against covid restrictions.

Addressing a news conference in Ottawa, the Canadian leader termed it an unlawful activity that needs to end.

The Canadian capital has been clogged with hundreds of protesting truckers for two weeks and sparked solidarity rallies from France to New Zealand.