Residents of Kavarta now have expanded access to COVID-19 antiviral treatment thanks to the efforts of Ontario Health, in collaboration with the province and healthcare partners, to ensure that more eligible patients are evaluated and have access to medicines.
“For patients at higher risk, it is important to be evaluated and start treatment in the first few days after the onset of symptoms. With more access points, more Ontario residents can benefit from these treatments, “said Dr. Chris Simpson, executive vice president (medical) of Ontario Health.
The following higher-risk groups can be tested and evaluated for antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, in Ontario:
• over 18 years of age and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by health or medication)
• aged 70 and over
• aged 60 and over with less than three doses of vaccine
• aged 18 and over with less than three doses of vaccine and at least one risk condition, including chronic
medical condition
Healthcare providers can also determine whether antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances, even if they do not belong to one of the groups listed.
Anyone who qualifies for the assessment is now eligible for a PCR test at any testing center in Ontario.
Ontario has also made it easier for eligible prescribers to access antiviral drugs by expanding outlets to include participating pharmacies across the province. A list of Paxlovid pharmacies is available at Ontario.ca/antivirals. The list will be updated as the list of participating pharmacies expands.
In most cases, treatment with antiviral drugs should begin within five days of the onset of symptoms. Anyone who thinks they may be at higher risk for a serious illness and has symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider or visit a COVID-19 clinical evaluation center. Individuals are also encouraged to call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
Ontario Health and the Department of Health work with health system partners and health care providers to prioritize groups that may be at increased risk due to other health factors and barriers to health care, including people with disabilities. first nation, Inuit and mestizos, Black individuals and members of other racial communities. Healthcare providers can also determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances, even if they do not belong to one of the groups listed above.
These treatments are an important tool for protection against serious diseases due to COVID-19, but they are not substitutes for vaccines, which are currently the best protection against the virus.
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