Ensuring easy, convenient, and readily available access to therapeutics to treat COVID-19 can prevent severe illness or death. With many residents living in under-resourced communities at elevated risk, Public Health is working to increase information sharing and distribution of COVID-19 antivirals in these communities.
To ensure that residents have ready access to these critical therapeutics, Public Health is building a vast network of health care providers and pharmacies that can provide information and prescribe these medications, particularly in under-resourced communities.
Currently, there are 593 sites providing antivirals across the entire County, with 326 sites located in under-resourced neighborhoods. There are also 74 “Test to Treat” programs offered at CVS Minute Clinics, Walgreens and community clinics that allow patients to get tested and treated on the same visit at the same location.
Residents that do not have access to a clinical provider can call the COVID-19 information line at (833) 540-0473 between 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. daily. The call center is a free resource where residents can get culturally and linguistically appropriate information about available therapeutics and how to access them.
Residents can view the “Test to Treat” locations by visiting http://www.ph.lacounty.gov/covidmedicines.
While many people with COVID-19 will have mild symptoms, some are at higher risk for severe illness and may be eligible to receive therapeutics. Residents who test positive for COVID-19, and are at elevated risk for severe illness, should promptly call their doctor to see if they qualify for therapeutics that include oral medications Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, or injectable treatments such as Bebtelovimab or Remdesivir.
Residents who cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination for medical reasons, or whose immune system is not strong enough to mount a response to the vaccine, should speak to their provider about Evusheld, an injectable medicine used to prevent COVID-19 infections.
As of April 15, Public Health had distributed 32,000 doses of Paxlovid, 44,180 doses of Molnupiravir and 18,744 doses of Evusheld, with 62% of Paxlovid doses, 77% of Molnupiravir doses and 58% of Evusheld allocated to residents living in under-resourced communities in the County.
Public Health has also launched its new COVID-19 Medication Telehealth Service, which helps residents assess their eligibility for these treatments and, if eligible, arranges for them to receive the medication.
Individuals who are determined by our Telehealth provider to be eligible for oral antivirals can choose to be referred to their provider or a “Test to Treat” site to receive the medications; or they can have a prescription sent to a nearby pharmacy; or have the medication shipped to them overnight at no charge.
According to Public Health, 15,545 people of Latino or Hispanic descent in LA County have died from COVID-19 or its complications through April 22, far more than any other ethnic group.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to everyone mourning the loss of a loved one from COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of Public Health.
“Increasing access to life-saving therapeutics is an essential component of the County’s post-surge plan as the new medicines reduce the number of infected individuals experiencing severe illness. In particular, our efforts are focused on making sure that residents and workers in low-resourced communities can easily get information and timely access to these new medicines.
“The Public Health Medication Telehealth Service is free and makes it easy for those who have tested positive to call our service and speak with a clinician who can assess whether anti-viral treatment is appropriate and then ensure rapid access to the medication,” she said. “Given the continued increase in cases, we encourage residents testing positive who are at risk of severe illness to not delay seeking these therapeutics from either their own provider or our telehealth program.”