Isabel Paulino came to take the COVID-19 test because she felt symptoms and she did not want to relive that April 2020 when she had COVID-19.
“I was very bad and there was no treatment, I went to my doctor and she only told me to take acetaminophen. And since there is now a new treatment, that is perfect,” explained this COVID-19 survivor.
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The city government now has oral and intravenous antiviral treatments for those who test positive for the virus, but they must be taken within the first few days of having symptoms.
Dr. Elizabeth Navarro, scientific adviser to the New York City Department of Health, says these treatments are available to people at high health risk and must follow specific steps to be eligible.
“When someone detects that they have symptoms or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, they should go quickly to get a test diagnosis or the one at home and they have to be evaluated by a doctor so that he or she can order, prescribe these treatments for the patient,” informed Navarro.
Merck antiviral treatment.
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Treatments are free and mailed to patients within 24 hours, after being requested by their GP.
In the face of a possible wave of cases, the appearance of two new sub-variants of the omicron variant, reported on Monday by the World Health Organization, is added: BA.4 and BA.5.
Dr. Juan Tapia, who was director of the Vaccination Camp at Yankee Stadium, explains that although these treatments give hope to the medical community, people should get vaccinated: “These treatments have the benefit that they can be used before the person is seriously ill, but none are substitutes for vaccinations.
And although the treatments are relatively new, the side effects, so far, can be fever or general malaise, which are typical of the virus itself.
To locate the pharmacies equipped as mini-clinics closest to you and access these treatments, visit the website: nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index
Visit the NY1 News page with our special coverage on the coronavirus: Coronavirus outbreak
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