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The NHS offers treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill.
You're eligible for a COVID-19 treatment assessment, without being admitted to hospital, if all the following apply:
Show people at highest risk
You may be at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you:
This list is a summary and does not cover everything.
If you're unsure if you are eligible, speak to your GP or hospital specialist who can advise you.
The treatments available for people at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 are:
Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir, molnupiravir and remdesivir are antiviral medicines.
When being assessed for treatment, a doctor will advise which treatment is most suitable for you.
Some treatments come as capsules or tablets that you swallow. Others are given to you through a drip in your arm (infusion), usually in a hospital or local health centre.
These treatments can help some people manage their COVID-19 symptoms and reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill.
If you need to go into hospital for COVID-19, you may get other treatments.
Local NHS organisations are responsible for arranging COVID-19 treatments. The way you get treatment will depend on where you live.
Your local integrated care board (ICB) can give you more information.
If you think you're in the highest risk group and need to access COVID-19 treatment, follow these steps to be considered for a referral.
If you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment, you should keep rapid lateral flow tests at home.
You may be able to pick up free rapid lateral flow test kits from your local pharmacy if you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment.
Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests
The pharmacy may ask you questions about your medical history to confirm you’re eligible for free tests. If you have a copy of a letter or email sent to you by the NHS that says you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment, take this with you. A letter or email is not essential, but it will help the pharmacy to confirm you’re eligible for free tests more easily.
Someone else can collect free tests on your behalf, for example, a friend, relative or carer. If you do not have a friend, relative or carer who can collect your tests for you, you may be able to book a volunteer responder by calling 0808 196 3646.
Anyone collecting free tests on your behalf needs to give the pharmacy your details, including your:
They should also bring any copies of letters or emails that have been sent to you by the NHS about COVID-19 treatments.
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, take a rapid lateral flow test as soon as possible, even if your symptoms are mild. Only take a test if you have symptoms.
You can also use tests you've paid for, for example, a test you've bought from a supermarket or pharmacy.
Call your GP surgery, NHS 111 or hospital specialist as soon as possible if your test result is positive.
They'll decide if you need a referral for an assessment for COVID-19 treatment or may carry out the assessment themselves.
As part of the assessment, you may be asked what other medicines you take or receive, including any vitamins and minerals, so it's important to have a list of these ready.
If you're eligible for treatment, it's important to start the treatment as soon as you can. Treatments for COVID-19 need to be given quickly after your symptoms start to be effective.
If you’re prescribed capsules or tablets, the medicine can be collected on your behalf by someone else, such as a friend or relative. You’ll be advised where the medicine can be collected from. Alternatively, the NHS may be able to arrange for the medicine to be delivered to you.
If the treatment needs to be given as a drip in your arm (infusion), you'll usually get it at your local hospital or in a local health centre.
You'll get instructions on where to get the treatment and how to get there and back safely.
If your test result is negative, but you still have symptoms of COVID-19, you need to do a total of 3 rapid lateral flow tests over 3 days.
For example, if you did your first test today, you should do a 2nd test tomorrow and a 3rd test the day after.
If any test result is positive, you can stop testing and call your GP surgery, NHS 111 or hospital specialist as soon as possible.
If you need this information in easy read format, you can read it on the NHS England website.
