THOUSANDS of Brits who are most likely to be hospitalised with Covid can get NHS treatment at home.
The cutting-edge pills improve symptoms “within hours”, and have already helped hundreds of patients fend off the bug.
Paxlovid was found in trials to slash hospitalisation and deaths by 88 per cent, and has been given to more than 6,000 patients already – over 1,400 in the last seven days alone.
Omicron is much milder than previous strains, with the chance of hospitalisation much lower.
However for some vulnerable people the risk of more severe illness is still higher, so getting extra help to beat the virus at home is on offer.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “It’s fantastic that since launching the latest antiviral treatment Paxlovid just over a month ago, thousands of our most vulnerable patients have already had access to this latest cutting-edge, life-saving treatment.
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“Antivirals are another weapon in our arsenal to reduce hospital admissions and fatalities amongst patients at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 and needing hospitalisation — each and every person treated with the new drugs is testament to how the NHS is doing everything possible to protect those who are at most risk.
“Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect you and your loved ones from covid, and to date, our world leading vaccination programme has delivered over 119 million doses — including more than 32 million boosters — and I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet been jabbed to come forward for your first, second or booster jab as soon as possible.”
One of the 32,000 patients to have benefitted is Helen West, 56, from Walderslade, Kent, who was offered Paxlovid.
Helen has ankylosing spondylitis, a rare long-term condition where the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed, painful and stiff.
She has to take medication that suppresses her immune system.
Helen, who has two grown-up children, said: “The process was so quick and efficient. Within six hours of taking the first tablet I felt a very slight improvement.
“After four days, I was back to work. Covid hit me hard but Paxlovid really made a positive difference to my recovery.”
The antiviral treatment is being used to treat those identified to be at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid.
The treatment stops the virus multiplying in cells and therefore prevents the virus multiplying in the body, helping patients to fight the infection and get better, faster.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We have secured more antivirals per head than any other country in Europe – almost five million doses for NHS patients.
“Both of our groundbreaking antivirals – molnupiravir and Paxlovid – are available to those most vulnerable to the virus directly through the NHS, and it’s fantastic to see 32,000 patients reaping the benefits.
