In recent weeks Omicron case numbers have decreased. It looks like the country is over the peak of the Omicron wave. Although the peak is over the fight against COVID continues. New York City (NYC) officials are working on new options to continue to stop the spread of COVID and prevent its residents from getting sick. On January 30, 2022, NYC Mayor Eric Adams made three big announcements regarding COVID. First, more than 75% of NYC residents are fully vaccinated. This is more than the national average. Secondly, antiviral and antibody treatments have been effective at preventing negative health outcomes. Lastly, there are now various treatment options for NYC residents including free same-day delivery of COVID antiviral medication.
Mayor Eric Adams was quoted saying, “We’ve not only decreased the amount of cases by more than 80 percent since early January, but hit a new milestone with 75 percent of all New Yorkers fully vaccinated — way ahead of the national average. We’re also offering high-risk New Yorkers, free, at-home delivery of COVID-19 antiviral pills to prevent serious illness and keep people out of the hospital. I urge all eligible New Yorkers to take advantage of this service, and for every New Yorker to stay up to date with their vaccines and boosters. This is about saving lives and getting our city moving again”. The free same-day delivery is available through Alto Pharmacy which has partnered with the Health Department.
How to Get The COVID Antiviral Pills
Be aware that there is a limited supply of both antiviral pills and intravenous antibody treatments. You must meet certain criteria to even be considered for these treatments. You much also be within a certain timeframe from the onset of symptoms. These treatments are only prescribed for those who are at the highest risk for severe illness and negative health outcomes from COVID.
In order to start the process, you need to get tested immediately when you start to experience symptoms. You also need to make an appointment with your healthcare provider who can prescribe these medications. If you don’t have a healthcare provider you can call 212-COVID19 to get in touch with a care team that could help you. You will need to have an appointment with a healthcare provider in order to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and treatment options. The healthcare provider will determine if you meet the criteria to receive either treatment. This must all be completed as quickly as possible in order to be within the required timeframe. That is why it is so important to test and make an appointment as soon as possible when you develop symptoms.
What You Need to Know About The COVID Antiviral Pills
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two types of antiviral pills for COVID called Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. You have to meet the criteria to qualify for a prescription of these medications. The oral antiviral pills are taken daily for five days. They work by stopping the virus from replicating so that the amount of virus in your body will be reduced. This will prevent your symptoms from becoming more severe. Alto Pharmacy is currently the exclusive provider of the antiviral pills until more are readily available and can be distributed to other pharmacies. They offer free same-day delivery to all five New York boroughs.
Optimism
City officials are optimistic about these updates. NYC Health and Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mithcell Katz said “Our city’s public health care system is seeing a decline in COVID-19 hospital admissions, but we are still very busy treating severely ill patients…Free, at-home delivery of these antiviral pills will keep high-risk New Yorkers out of the hospital so we can immediately free up critical resources”.
Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and Population Health at New York City Health and Hospitals and NYC Test and Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long said “As a primary care doctor right here in the Bronx, for the past two years I’ve been fighting to help my patients with COVID, and dreaming of the day when I could give them a pill that could save their life…Today, that day is finally here — and we’ll even deliver that pill to your home to remove all barriers to New Yorkers getting this life-saving treatment”.
Resources
Mayor Adams announces covid-19 cases down. The official website of the City of New York. (2022, January 30). Retrieved February 13, 2022, from https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/050-22/mayor-adams-covid-19-cases-down-vaccinations-up-antiviral-medications-available-for#/0
