Eligibility for the COVID-19 antiviral medication has been expanded to more Australians by the government who are concerned about the ongoing surge of infections across the country.
Cases have substantially increased in the past couple of months with close to 4,000 patients receiving treatment in hospitals and 172 in intensive care or ventilated.
More Australians will have access to COVID-19 antiviral treatments from Monday in a bid to reduce the number of hospitalisations around the country. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Residents aged over 50 and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 30 and older with at least two risk factors for severe disease will also be eligible.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the pills are"cheap" and"effective" medicines that are aimed at easing the pressure on hospitals. The former government ordered 1.3 million doses of the drug and Mr Butler hopes medical authorities can extend the 18-month shelf life on the products.
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