Outpatient COVID-19 Treatment

Antiviral treatments for COVID-19 can prevent serious illness if taken quickly after symptoms start (within the first few days). They are available in Ontario for free to anyone with a prescription. A physician, nurse practitioner or participating pharmacist can prescribe treatment if it is right for you and if you are at higher risk of serious illness.

You may be at higher risk if you are any of the following:

• 60 years of age or older
• 18 years of age or older and are immunocompromised
• 18 – 59 years old and at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 including having:
  • one or more underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, heart or lung disease), or
  • inadequate immunity against COVID-19 from:
    • not receiving a full primary series of the COVID-19
    • having received a full primary series but no COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 infection within the past six months

The use of antivirals in children under the age of 18 is not routinely recommended. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis, such as for children who are severely immunocompromised and/or have multiple risk factors. Speak with a physician or nurse practitioner to learn more.

At this time, some therapies are only administered at the HSN COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre (56 Walford Road, Sudbury). The Paxlovid antiviral treatment can be administered outside of the Clinical Assessment Centre location, and is only available to individuals who qualify based on a physician assessment.

Once a patient referral is received, an assessment centre team member will contact the patient to book an appointment. Specific directions will be provided at the time of booking.

On the day of the infusion, vital signs will be checked, and the patient will have the opportunity to ask questions. If the patient agrees to proceed with the infusion, an intravenous will be placed. The infusion will take a minimum of 60 minutes. Patients should expect to be onsite at the Clinical Assessment Centre for approximately 1-2 hours for three consecutive days. Patients then go home and continue isolating as directed by Public Health.

There are very few side effects. As a precaution, patients are monitored for allergic reactions, which are rare.

Patients are still considered contagious and must continue to follow all public health guidelines, including isolation. If required, individuals are permitted to leave isolation for urgent medical treatments.

Patients will be referred by their health care provider or the COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre physician.

Your local pharmacy can also provide a Paxlovid prescription. Please contact them directly to see if this is an option for you.

Physicians can download the COVID-19 Therapeutic Referral Form and fax it to 705-523-4464.