MONTREAL: Canada on Tuesday gave the green light for people with severe symptoms of Covid-19 to be treated with the anti-viral drug remdesivir.

"Remdesivir is the first drug that Health Canada has authorized for the treatment of Covid-19," said the health ministry.

At least two major US studies have shown that remdesivir can reduce the duration of hospital stays for Covid-19 patients. Washington authorized the emergency use of the medicine - which was originally intended as a treatment for Ebola - on May 1, followed by several Asian nations including Japan and South Korea.