A Kent woman with coronavirus is among the patients who have received a cutting-edge anti-Covid drug at home that improves symptoms “within hours”.

The antiviral treatment which reduces the risk of serious illness have been provided to more than 32,000 patients since being introduced for patients outside of hospital in December.

One of the latest treatments, known as Paxlovid, was found in trials to slash hospitalisation and deaths by 88%, and has been given to more than 6,000 patients already – with more than 1,400 patients benefitting in the last seven days alone.

One patient to have benefitted is Helen West, 56, from Walderslade, Chatham who was offered Paxlovid.

Helen has ankylosing spondylitis, a rare long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed, painful and stiff, requiring her to take medication that suppresses her immune system.

After testing positive for Covid, she was contacted by her consultant at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and offered the antiviral medication developed by Pfizer.

Helen, who has two grown-up children, said: “Although I initially declined Paxlovid because I didn’t feel too bad. I had initially felt fine, just a bit tired, but two days in I had an extremely sore throat, to the point where I couldn’t swallow or talk, and I could barely walk.”

As her joints became painful, she changed her mind and phoned the hospital to request it.

Helen said: “The process was so quick and efficient. Within six hours of taking the first tablet I felt a very slight improvement.

"After four days, I was back to work. Covid hit me hard but Paxlovid really made a positive difference to my recovery.”

Prof Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “It’s fantastic that since launching the latest antiviral treatment Paxlovid just over a month ago, thousands of our most vulnerable patients have already had access to this latest cutting-edge, life-saving treatment.

“Antivirals are another weapon in our arsenal to reduce hospital admissions and fatalities amongst patients at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 and needing hospitalisation — each and every person treated with the new drugs is testament to how the NHS is doing everything possible to protect those who are at most risk.

“Getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect you and your loved ones from Covid, and to date, our world leading vaccination programme has delivered over 119 million doses — including more than 32 million boosters — and I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet been jabbed to come forward for your first, second or booster jab as soon as possible.”

Helen said: “The process was so quick and efficient. Within six hours of taking the first tablet I felt a very slight improvement.

"After four days, I was back to work. Covid hit me hard but Paxlovid really made a positive difference to my recovery.”

The antiviral treatment is being used to treat those identified to be at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill with covid or being admitted to hospital in line with government guidance.

The treatment stops the virus multiplying in cells and therefore prevents the virus multiplying in the body, helping patients to fight the infection and get better, faster.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We have secured more antivirals per head than any other country in Europe - almost five million doses for NHS patients.

“Both of our groundbreaking antivirals – molnupiravir and Paxlovid – are available to those most vulnerable to the virus directly through the NHS, and it’s fantastic to see 32,000 patients reaping the benefits.

“For anyone not in this high-risk group, if you’re aged 50 and over or 18 to 49 with an underlying health condition and test positive, you can sign up to the PANORAMIC study to potentially access this treatment too.”

Nearly five million doses of Paxlovid and other antivirals, such as molnupiravir, have been procured as part of the latest deal struck by the government.

For further information about who can access treatments and how it is available, click here.