The Saskatchewan Government announced today that the antiviral pill PAXLOVID will be available to eligible Saskatchewan residents starting January 26th.
While the treatment is no substitute for the vaccine, it is a treatment that will be suitable in helping individuals with compromised immunity to COVID-19 overcome infection and prevent the progression to hospitalization.
PAXLOVID is recommended for adults over the age of 18 who are:
- asymptomatic
- within 5 days of developing symptoms
- have tested positive for mild or moderate COVID-19
- immunocompromised regardless of vaccination status
- 55 and older without full vaccination status
- 55 and older with a medical condition that puts them at high risk.
The province has received approximately 900 courses of the treatments, and are expecting to receive more in the coming weeks. Select community pharmacies across the province have received the treatment – which will be accessible to residents after they have received a referral.
This new treatment is expected to ease hospitalizations around the province due to COVID-19, as more Saskatchewan residents are being admitted to provincial ICU’s.
January 25th, 2022 saw the province reporting 1049 new COVID-19 infections provincially, and 30 additional hospitalizations. Currently 292 patients are in the hospital including 33 people in provincial ICU’s.
Among the new cases, 369 Saskatoon. 162 Regina and 68 in the central east
the provincial test positivity rate has climbed to 37 %.
Sadly the province also reported 2 additional COVID-19 related deaths.
If you feel you may be eligible for PAXLOVID, call the Healthline at 811 for a referral.
