{"id":55227,"date":"2022-12-13T16:04:20","date_gmt":"2022-12-14T00:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=55227"},"modified":"2022-12-13T16:04:20","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T00:04:20","slug":"californias-top-public-health-doctor-covid-19-treatments-are-free-and-widely-available-but-underutilized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=55227","title":{"rendered":"California\u2019s Top Public Health Doctor: COVID-19 Treatments are Free and Widely Available, but Underutilized"},"content":{"rendered":"

SACRAMENTO<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 As California faces rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations due to multiple winter respiratory viruses, the state\u2019s top public health doctor reminds providers and patients that seeking and receiving COVID-19 treatment\u00a0should be the new normal for anyone who tests positive for COVID-19. Treatments help\u00a0reduce the severity of COVID-19 complications, including hospitalization and death. While vaccines and boosters remain the frontline of defense against COVID-19, all\u00a0Californians\u00a0who test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms should seek evaluation for COVID-19 treatments, which are widely available and free statewide.<\/p>\n

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\u201cMany of our hospitals across the state are reaching capacity, if they aren\u2019t there already, and one of the ways we can reduce admissions is by treating individuals who have COVID-19,\u201d\u00a0said State Public Health Officer and CDPH Director\u00a0Dr. Tom\u00e1s J. Arag\u00f3n. \u201cUnlike previous years, people now have safe and effective treatment options that can prevent serious disease, reduce hospitalization, and may also lower the risk of long COVID-19 symptoms. Treatments provide the biggest benefits to people who are unvaccinated, but also provide benefits to people who are vaccinated or who recovered from a prior COVID-19 infection. However, COVID-19 treatments are underutilized, particularly among communities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19.\u00a0As soon as someone has new symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat or fever, they should immediately test for COVID-19 and seek treatment if they are positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s important for people who test positive for COVID-19 to immediately\u00a0contact a health care provider\u00a0since\u00a0 treatments must start within the first five to seven days after symptoms begin.\u00a0Most treatments are pills that can be taken at home, such as Paxlovid, which can reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by up to 50% and 88%.<\/p>\n

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The vast majority of American adults are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, which are\u00a0recommended for anyone 12 years old and older who has COVID-19 symptoms, has tested positive, and may be at higher risk for worse illness. There is\u00a0a long list of conditions that may qualify someone for treatments<\/a>. Some include:<\/p>\n

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