All over-70s in Australia are now eligible for cheap antiviral medications which help fight COVID-19.

Previously the antivirals were only available to people with underlying health conditions.

Director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services, Associate Professor Paul Griffin, said expanded access to the drugs is “really good news”.

“What’s really clear is we are battling another very significant stage in this pandemic at the moment and we do need to try and improve what we can do to get better outcomes, and this medicine does that.”

Professor Griffin urged everyone now eligible for the antivirals to have a plan for if they contract COVID-19, as the medication is only effective if taken in the first five days of infection.

“They have to be given early, that’s probably the key,” he said.

“If people do that it significantly reduces your chance of getting really sick and ending up in hospital.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the latest “very significant stage” Australia faces