COVID-19 test requirement dropped for Paxlovid

It just got easier to get antiviral medication for COVID-19. Effective Feb. 1, people no longer have to test positive for COVID-19 in order to receive the oral antiviral medication Paxlovid. In removing the testing requirement, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) acknowledges the limited accuracy of COVID-19 tests, allowing health care providers to […]

Evusheld deauthorized for COVID-19 prevention

Available in Spanish The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that, until further notice, Evusheld is no longer authorized for emergency use because it is not expected to protect against the COVID-19 subvariants currently circulating in the United States. As a result, it cannot be used for new patients or for patients who have […]

Free telehealth service increases access to COVID-19 treatments

This blog is periodically updated to reflect changes in treatment guidelines. Available in Spanish Update, 3/27/23 – The Color Health telehealth service to receive oral antiviral medication is now available to children ages 12 – 17, with parental or adult caregiver consent. Update, 2/3/23 – On Feb. 2, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration […]

Make a plan: how to prepare in the event you test positive for COVID-19

Available in Spanish Between widely available vaccines and boosters, effective antiviral treatments and ongoing research, we are better equipped than ever to prevent severe cases of COVID-19. Even with this progress, transmission of the virus remains high. “I don’t think it’s realistic to tell people that they will, with certainty, be able to avoid exposure […]

What kind of treatments exist for COVID-19?

1/25/2022: This blog has been updated to reflect new approval and authorization from the FDA for the antiviral drug remdesivir. The best way to fight COVID-19 is to avoid getting it in the first place. That means wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping gatherings small and outdoors if possible and getting vaccinated (including a booster dose if eligible.)  But the […]

FDA panel endorses first antiviral treatment for COVID-19

Today, an expert panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) endorsed the use of the Merck antiviral drug molnupiravir for treatment of symptomatic COVID-19 in test-confirmed patients with high risk conditions. The FDA has not yet authorized the treatment.