WHAT TYPES OF TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

What Types of Treatment Options are Available?

Treatment for COVID-19

Talk with your healthcare provider about your treatment options for COVID-19.

Currently, outpatient treatments for COVID-19 (pills and IV infusions) are in short supply. Therefore the County is following the National Institutes of Health's recommendations to prioritize patients for treatment based on who is at the highest risk for severe illness.  

 

Antiviral Pills

Two kinds of pills have received emergency use authorization to treat the virus that causes COVID-19: 

  • Paxlovid
    • Treatment started as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 5 days of symptom onset.
    • Click here to download fact sheet.
  • Molnupiravir
    • Treatment started as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 5 days of symptom onset.
    • Click here to download fact sheet.

You need a prescription from a medical provider for both types of pills. Then a pharmacy needs to provide you with the pills that were prescribed. Supplies are very limited for now. These pills can be found at many CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies as well as at a number of additional pharmacies to provide access across the County.  

 

Monoclonal Antibodies 

Monoclonal antibodies are used for the treatment for many kinds of diseases, such as cancer, immune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and infections. Certain monoclonal antibodies received emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat COVID-19. 

The following antibodies are administered in an outpatient setting, through an IV and can be given in under an hour during a single visit:

  • Bebtelovimab
    • Single IV administration given as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within 7 days of symptom onset
    • Click here to download fact sheet.

Monoclonal antibodies can also be used for prevention of COVID-19, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Evusheld is a monoclonal antibody treatment that is intended to protect individuals who are unable to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination or are unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine due to severe adverse reaction.

The following antibodies are administered in an outpatient setting, through injections and can be given during a single visit:

  • Evusheld
    • 2 injections as prevention (pre-exposure prophylaxis) against COVID-19.
    • Click here to download fact sheet.

IV Antiviral Infusion

Antiviral infusions have been used to treat people who are hospitalized for COVID-19. Recent studies have also shown that this treatment can be used for patients with mild or moderate symptoms who are not hospitalized to help prevent progression to severe disease.

The following antiviral infusion is administered in an outpatient setting, through an IV and can be given over the course of three visits:

  • Remdesivir — IV on Day 1, then once daily on Days 2 and 3 initiated as soon as possible and within 7 days of onset.

Treatment Guide

Lower Risk: Young and Healthy

 If you test positive for COVID-19, over the counter treatments for symptoms may include:

  • Nasal sprays
  • Cough/throat drops
  • Decongestants 
  • Pain and fever medication (e.g., Tylenol, Advil)

Higher Risk: Older and/or with Underlying Health Conditions

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for: 

  • Oral antiviral treatment [within 5 days] *prescription needed* 
  • Monoclonal antibody treatment [within 7 days]
  • IV antiviral Remdesivir [within 7 days]

Highest Risk: Immunocompromised

If you do not currently have COVID-19, but you have a weakened immune system due to conditions such as cancer, an organ transplant, or you are on medications that bring down your immune system, you may be eligible for:

  • Evusheld Monoclonal Antibody treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible for: 

  • Oral antiviral treatment [within 5 days] *prescription needed* 
  • Monoclonal antibody treatment [within 7 days]
  • IV antiviral Remdesivir [within 7 days]

 

Resources

Oral Antiviral Medication Providers:

 Antiviral Providers

Regional Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Locations:

  • Desert Oasis Healthcare (Palm Springs) - 760-969-6555
  • First Americans Wellness (Banning) - 951-922-2058
  • Grace Family Health (Murrieta) - 951-643-4717
  • Hemet Global Medical Center (Hemet) - 951 -652-2811
  • Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (Riverside) - **Provider Referral**
  • RUHS Medical Center (State Partner Site) - 951-486-6520

Regional Evusheld Locations:

  • Desert Regional Medical Center (Palm Springs) - 760-416-4925
  • Borrego Pharmacy (Cathedral City) - 760-507-3310
  • Eisenhower Medical Center (Rancho Mirage) - 760-773-2092
  • Desert Oasis Healthcare (Palm Springs) - 760-969-6555
  • First Americans Wellness (Banning) - 951-922-2058
  • Grace Family Health (Murrieta) - 951-643-4717
  • Hemet Global Medical Center (Hemet) - 951 -652-2811
  • Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (Riverside) - **Provider Referral**