2.1 Data sources and search strategy:
A systematic review was conducted as per the PRISMA guideline. This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered to PROPERO (CRD42022304323). A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases on 10 February 2022 by two persons independently (D.P.; K.P.). All the probable combination of key words were included in the study such as “corticosteroid therapy” “methylprednisolone” “dexamethasone” “Prednisolone” “COVID-19” “SARS-CoV-2 infection” “Corona infection” “Mortality” “fatality” “death”. The cross-references from the screened studies were explored for more articles. The same study selection criteria were utilized for articles identified via forward/backward search.