New antiviral pill could soon be used to treat COVID-19 from home

There are hopes a new antiviral pill which could reduce the effects of COVID-19 might soon be available in Australia.

The Federal Government is understood to be in talks with a number of pharmaceutical companies and is expected to sign a pre-purchase deal in a matter of days for a newly developed antiviral drug.

The drug would have the potential to make people less infectious, as well as stopping those who catch the virus falling critically ill.

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Currently there are a number of treatments being used with patients with severe virus symptoms, with the new pills considered to be another layer of protection.

The drugs won't replace vaccines and will need to pass more clinical trials before being made in Australia, but could become critical in the fight against the disease.

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Across the country, a drug called Remdesivir is used in hospitals to treat ill patients with the virus, but there are currently no at-home treatments, something the government is seeking to change.

Yesterday, NSW recorded 210 new COVID-19 cases, while eleven LGAs across Queensland were plunged into the strictest lockdown the state has seen yet.

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