Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19

COVID-19 ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT AT WRH ASSESSMENT CENTRE OR THROUGH YOUR PRIMARY CARE PRACTITIONER AND PHARMACIES

If you fall under any of the categories below you may qualify for Antiviral Treatment for COVID-19. If you think you qualify, please book a Clinical Assessment appointment at the Ouellette Campus COVID-19 Assessment Centre and bring a list of medications and a list of your current medical conditions OR talk to your primary care practitioner who can get you access to the COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment in the community if you qualify.

You may be required to take a COVID-19 test during your appointment to determine eligibility.

For more information on whether you possibly qualify read this fact sheet.

To be considered for treatment, you must have tested positive for COVID-19 (by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test), and a health care provider must assess you to determine if treatment is right for you, which includes whether or not you are at higher risk of developing severe symptoms.

You may be at higher risk if you are:

  • over 18 years old and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
  • over 70 years old
  • over 60 years old with fewer than three vaccine doses
  • over 18 years old with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one of the following risk conditions:
    • obesity
    • diabetes
    • heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
    • chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis)
    • cerebral palsy
    • intellectual or developmental disabilities
    • sickle cell disease
    • moderate or severe kidney disease
    • moderate or severe liver disease
    • pregnant and unvaccinated (zero doses)

Patients who may be at higher risk should contact a health care professional to be assessed as soon as possible. These patients should either:

  • contact their primary care provider;
  • call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000; or
  • visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre

Treatment with Paxlovid must begin within five days of symptom onset to be effective. A full course of treatment is three pills twice daily for five days in a row.

Paxlovid is not a replacement for vaccination. This antiviral is a treatment that is intended for those who are at a higher risk of severe outcomes that may lead to hospitalization.

Before you are approved for Antiviral treatment:

  • An appropriate health care provider, often a pharmacist, will determine if you qualify.
  • If you are deemed to qualify for oral Antiviral treatment with Paxlovid. A health care provider and pharmacist will review your current medications and determine if any changes to your other medications are necessary to safely take Paxlovid.
  • You may require additional lab work to review liver and kidney function prior to being approved for treatment.

If you believe you qualify for any of the above therapies, you should book an appointment at WRH Clinical Assessment Center Ouellette Campus and bring a list of your medications and any important medical conditions to share with health care providers. Book an appointment online here. You can also book an appointment by calling 519-973-4443.

For referring practitioners: you can now prescribe Paxlovid utilizing this form and have it filled at participating pharmacies. Practice Solution and Accuro digitized referral and prescription forms can be found on the South West Primary Care Alliance website (search for ‘Paxlovid’ using the search function). If you have any questions or trouble accessing these forms, please email info@partneringforquality.ca.

For Health Care Practitioners,  Prescribing Paxlovid Resources Updated - COVID-19: Clinical Guidance for Primary Care Providers, Centre for Effective Practice Digital Tools.

A list of the participating pharmacies in Ontario that can fill a prescription for Paxlovid can be found online here or download a CSV spreadsheet.

If you feel your patient requires a referral for Remdesivir consideration; please complete the referral form here and submit it to WRHmAbclinic@wrh.on.ca. Phones are answered Monday - Friday, between 8 am and 4 pm. 

We strongly encourage you to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible to protect yourself, your loved ones and our communities from COVID-19. Please book your vaccine appointment today.