Guidance on COVID-19 treatments
Find out whether you are eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
What is the BCUHB COVID-19 Antiviral service?
NHS patients who are at greater risk from COVID-19 may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment at home through the BCUHB Antiviral Service.
NHS Wales initially commissioned the National Antiviral Service Cymru (NAVS) in response to the significant impact COVID-19 had on population health and healthcare systems. Treatment for COVID-19 became available for people who are not in hospital, but who are considered at highest risk of becoming severely ill and being admitted to hospital. It is recommended that these treatments are started within 5 days from the start of your symptoms to be of most benefit.
In Wales, these treatments are supplied via your Local Health Board.
Who is eligible to receive these treatments?
Treatment for COVID-19 is available for individuals who are not in hospital but who are considered at highest risk of becoming severely ill and being admitted to hospital. This will include some people, but not everyone who was advised to shield during the pandemic. Some people who were previously shielding now have a much lower risk of severe disease following COVID-19 vaccination.
From the 13th of June 2024, the eligibility criteria has been updated to include the below criteria. If you fall within any of these you may be eligible for COVID-19 antiviral treatment:
- People aged > 85 years
- People resident in a care home:
- Aged > 70 years
- or who have a BMI > 35kg/m2
- or have diabetes
- or have heart failure
- People on the organ transplant waiting list
- People with end-stage heart failure who have long-term ventricular assistance devices
- People with down’s syndrome and other genetic disorders
- People with certain types of cancer and those who received cancer treatments within the last 12 months (chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery)
- Those with certain conditions affecting the blood or have received a haematological stem cell transplant
- People with sickle cell disease
- People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5 or kidney transplant
- Individuals with a severe liver condition (such as cirrhosis or liver transplant)
- Those who had an organ transplant
- People with certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease) who may be receiving certain medications
- People with conditions that affect breathing (including those with asthma who have taken medicines that makes them more likely to get infections, or COPD)
- an impaired immune system due to either a condition or certain medications
- People with HIV or AIDS
- People with a rare neurological condition (such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, motor neurone disease or myasthenia gravis)
Where to access lateral flow tests?
Lateral flow tests can be collected from participating community pharmacies. Please search for the participating pharmacies in your local area via the NHS111 website (NHS 111 Wales - Search Results).
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 Please report positive COVID-19 test results directly via the online self-referral portal Guidance on COVID-19 treatments - Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales) available on the Betsi Internet website or by calling 03000 850819 or NHS111.
Once completed, the Health Board’s antiviral service will make contact as per current processes. This will usually be within 48 hours, but may take longer at weekends and bank holidays. Treatment will be arranged if appropriate. Please note our service is currently staffed from Monday to Friday within working hours
How will I be contacted?
Once the referral is completed, we will contact you as per current processes. This will usually be within 48 hours, but may take longer at weekends and on bank holidays. Treatment will be arranged for you if considered appropriate.
Please note our service is currently staffed from Monday to Friday within working hours.