New antiviral treatment for COVID-19 will be mostly set aside for use in older unvaccinated individuals and immunocompromised Ontarians
A new antiviral drug that can be used to treat COVID-19 will be primarily set aside for use in older unvaccinated individuals and immunocompromised Ontarians.
The Ford government has released new eligibility guidelines that provide the first look at how it will distribute its limited supply of Pfizer’s Paxlovid pill, the first shipment of which arrived in the province last week.
The government says that it is prioritizing individuals at “the highest risk of severe outcomes,” including unvaccinated Ontarians age 60 and up and unvaccinated Ontarians aged 50 and up who also have one or more specific risk factors.
The government will also make all immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and up eligible, regardless of their vaccination status, as well as all unvaccinated First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals aged 50 and up.
In order to access the drug those eligible will have to first test positive for COVID-19 and the Ford government says that it is now introducing “expanded COVID-19 assessment centres” where Ontarians will be able to access both testing and “outpatient therapeutics,” such as Paxlovid.
It says that the testing centres will have access to multiple testing options, including rapid tests, to asses those who may be eligible for treatment.
However, not all assessment centres will have the drug on hand.
According to data from the clinical trials, the Paxlovid pill was found to be 89 per cent effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and death after a full course of treatment (three pills twice daily for five days in a row).
The Ontario government has said that it expects to receive approximately 10,000 courses of treatment in January.
“Given the very limited supply of antivirals, not all patients who meet the clinical eligibility criteria will be guaranteed access to treatment,” the government warns on a new website set up to provide information about antiviral treatments.
Paxlovid was approved by Health Canada on Jan. 17.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.