GPs are being urged to proactively flag the availability of COVID-19 antiviral treatments with their at-risk patients to ensure those who could benefit do not miss out on the potentially life-saving drugs. 

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd says patients need to know about the drugs’ benefits so they can get tested and treated in a timely way.

Health authorities are concerned patients who are at risk because of their age or comorbidities may miss out on treatment as COVID-19 transmission continues to surge, with 700,000 cases and 500 deaths across Australia in the past fortnight alone.

In his weekly missive to GPs on Friday, Professor Kidd said: “I recommend that you start a conversation with your at-risk patients if you have not already done so.