OC Health Care Agency reminds residents that COVID therapeutics are effective and widely available

In response to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a Health Alert to local health agencies to remind residents and providers that COVID-19 therapeutics are effective and widely available to mitigate the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and minimize the possibility of Long COVID concerns.

The rise in COVID-19 cases, along with other winter viruses such as influenza and RSV, are affecting vulnerable populations including children and the elderly, and are straining local healthcare systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and CDPH recommend everyone six months or older get an annual flu vaccine and stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines, including the bivalent boosters available for everyone over five years old.

“When someone tests positive for COVID-19, there are now more safe and effective treatment options available for preventing COVID-19 illness from getting serious, and they are free and widely available,” said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, County Health Officer and HCA’s Chief Medical Officer. “Medications such as the Paxlovid pill can stop the virus from multiplying in your body, help you test negative sooner, and may lower the risk of developing Long COVID symptoms. Additionally, you do not need to have insurance or US citizenship.”

According to recent studies, Long COVID or (Post COVID-19), can affect between 10-30% of adults who have tested positive for COVID-19. Many Long COVID patients report persistent symptoms such as headache, memory impairment, fatigue, muscle pain, and more up to six months after the initial illness. Learn more PASC Dashboard (aapmr.org).

Residents should take these steps if they start feeling sick:

1. Get tested for COVID-19. Tests are available at local pharmacies or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest 
   for testing locations.
2. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment
   if you have symptoms – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work.
   • Call your health care provider or an urgent care center
   • Individuals who are having challenges with gaining access to care, who are underinsured or uninsured can connect to a free telehealth provider by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling (833) 686-5051.
   • See Treatment Q&A Flyer
3. Isolate from others for at least 5 full days. Use the Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator
   to help you determine how long you should isolate.
4. Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed.
5. Call the statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or want more information, at (833) 422-4255.

The CDPH Alert also seeks to emphasize that there is an ample supply of COVID-19 therapeutics, but they have been underused – especially among populations disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including communities of color, low-income communities, and residents of long-term care facilities. Studies have shown that:

• COVID-19 treatments reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 88% among unvaccinated people and by 45% among vaccinated or previously infected people. ^{i ii}
• Early evidence suggests COVID-19 treatment may decrease the risk of developing post-COVID symptoms.ⁱⁱⁱ
• COVID viral load decreases faster among people treated compared with people not treated, suggesting the potential for decreased transmission and isolation time for test-result-based isolation protocols. ⁱ
• Prescribing options have been shown to be safe, including in the fragile, elderly population. ^ivRisks are minimal, especially when weighed against benefits.