MORE than 240 people in Hunter New England have died of COVID-19 so far this year, but experts question whether more lives could have been saved with early access to antiviral medications.
Up to 15,000 Australians are expected to die of COVID-19 this year. But with the seven-day rolling average currently sitting "stubbornly" at 40 deaths a week across the country, University of Newcastle viral immunologist - Associate Professor Nathan Bartlett - says education and understanding around what antiviral drugs are available, how to access them, and the importance of responding early is "critical".
