COVID-19 Therapeutics for NYC ACF Providers
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (NYC DOHMH) Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) has announced resources related to new treatments that are now available for COVID-19 and an upcoming webinar regarding these options. Members are encouraged to participate in the webinar and complete the survey, both linked in the message copied below.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828
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We are excited to bring your attention to new treatments that are now available for COVID-19. These treatments can lower the amount of COVID-19 virus in your body, prevent worsening of symptoms, and avoid hospitalization. Treatment works best the sooner it is started. There are two types of treatment for COVID-19 available to New Yorkers right now:
- Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: This is a one-time intravenous (IV) infusion to help provide antibody protection while your body works to produce its own antibodies. This free treatment is for people aged 12 and older who:
- Test positive for COVID-19,
- Have medical conditions or other factors that make it more likely to get severe COVID-19, which include obesity, diabetes, heart conditions, chronic lung conditions, chronic kidney disease, a weakened immune system, being pregnant, or living in a congregant setting
- Have mild to moderate symptoms for 7 days or less, and
- Are not hospitalized
Monoclonal Antibody Prevention of COVID-19: Two free, one-time injections are available to protect for six months against COVID-19 for people are aged 12 years or older and who:
- Are immunocompromised or have weakened immune systems from diseases or medications, such as cancer treatment or following organ transplants
- Do not have COVID-19
- Have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19
- Oral Antiviral Treatment: Pills — taken daily for five days — help stop the virus from growing inside the cells of the body. There are two antiviral pills currently authorized and available— paxlovid and molnupiravir. Both of these treatments are currently free. These are for people aged 12 and older who:
- Test positive for COVID-19, and
- Have mild to moderate symptoms for 5 days or less, and
- Are at high risk for severe illness, as above
The NYC Health Department has handouts and presentations available related to COVID-19 treatment and prevention and can help facilitate access to them for individuals in residential congregate settings. To let the Health Department help you best in this regard, please complete a brief and secure on-line survey so we can learn more about your facility’s interests and needs, and register to participate in a webinar that will review the available treatments and how they can be offered to your residents. Please note links below.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in reaching out, and or you can contact the Health Department about these issues at CSIRU@health.nyc.gov