California state health officials on Wednesday said they are expanding sites across the state where people can get both tested for COVID-19 and access to free treatments like Paxlovid for the virus.California plans to launch 146 OptumServe “test to treat” sites over the next two weeks, the Department of Public Health said. The sites are aimed at improving access to those without health insurance.(Previous coverage of Paxlovid in the video above.)People ages 12 and over and with high-risk conditions that make them susceptible to severe COVID-19 can get a prescription for Paxlovid or molnupiravir if they test positive at one of the sites. People who are unvaccinated or with a weakened immune system are also more likely to get very sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While health officials stress that getting vaccinated and boosted is the best way to combat COVID-19 they say that treatments can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.It’s important, though, to be treated soon after symptoms begin. Besides visiting a test to treat location, people can also call their health provider to see if they qualify for treatment. Click here to see a map of tests to treat sites in your area.
California state health officials on Wednesday said they are expanding sites across the state where people can get both tested for COVID-19 and access to free treatments like Paxlovid for the virus.
California plans to launch 146 OptumServe “test to treat” sites over the next two weeks, the Department of Public Health said. The sites are aimed at improving access to those without health insurance.
(Previous coverage of Paxlovid in the video above.)
People ages 12 and over and with high-risk conditions that make them susceptible to severe COVID-19 can get a prescription for Paxlovid or molnupiravir if they test positive at one of the sites. People who are unvaccinated or with a weakened immune system are also more likely to get very sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While health officials stress that getting vaccinated and boosted is the best way to combat COVID-19 they say that treatments can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.
It’s important, though, to be treated soon after symptoms begin. Besides visiting a test to treat location, people can also call their health provider to see if they qualify for treatment.
Click here to see a map of tests to treat sites in your area.
