This image provided by Pfizer in October 2021 shows the company's COVID-19 Paxlovid pills. (Pfizer via AP)
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.
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Environment Canada has lifted a severe thunderstorm warning for Waterloo Region and the surrounding area.
A man found dead in Milton early Friday morning is believed to be Curtis Hesselink, the father of an 8-year-old boy found dead in Cambridge last week.
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Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that could produce strong winds, hail, and the possibility of a tornado.
Two drivers apparently racing each other on Strandherd Drive Friday night have lost their licences for a month and their cars have been impounded.
A retirement celebration was held this week south of Ottawa, for a dedicated fire chief who served his community for more than four decades.
Every day since the owner of Thanasi's Olympus Greek Restaurant in Windsor, Ont. announced he would be retiring, Nick Pontikis says the place has been packed like it would be on New Year's Eve.
The family of Ken McEldowney has organized a fundraiser for this Sunday to help pay for a headstone and burial fees.
Unifor Local 999 members are inching towards a strike at midnight on May 25 as wage negotiations with employer Enbridge Gas stall.
This morning, the sun was still shining in the sunshine city as the local Farmers' Market kicked off its summer season.
One person died when a fire broke out at a home in Georgina.
Ontario is reporting another 13 deaths related to COVID-19 as the positivity rate in the province continues to slowly decline.
A section of Dartmouth's Burnside Industrial Park was shut down Friday after a fire in a scrapyard triggered alerts and air quality warnings.
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The public inquiry into Nova Scotia's mass shooting has already cost $25.6 million to investigate the April 18-19, 2020, rampage -- and there are still about five months remaining in its mandate.
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CTrain stations along Seventh Avenue, along with the Victoria Park/Stampede and Erlton/Stampede stations, will be closed to train and bus traffic from Saturday until Tuesday.
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Police in B.C.'s Interior shot and injured a man in Louis Creek, near Barriere, on Friday night.
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Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he will not be running in the race to pick a new leader of his United Conservative party.
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Zach Hyman scored the winning goal shorthanded for the Edmonton Oilers in Friday's 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames to even their playoff series at one victory apiece.
