Ontario expands PCR testing and treatments for COVID-19. This is who's eligible
The Ontario government is making antiviral treatments and PCR testing for COVID-19 more widely available as the province grapples with an increase in infections and hospitalizations.
The new eligibility announced on Monday includes high-risk individuals who are immunocompromised and may be at higher risk of severe side effects after contracting COVID-19.
The following groups are now eligible for PCR testing and assessment for antiviral treatments such as Paxlovid:
- Individuals aged 18 and up who are immunocompromised
- Individuals aged 70 and up
- Individuals aged 60 and up with fewer than three vaccine doses
- Individuals aged 18 and up with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition (For example, a chronic illness, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, ect.)
Individuals can take an online assessment to determine if they are eligible for the treatment.
The province is also allowing select pharmacies to dispense Paxlovid treatments with a prescription starting later this week. A full list of participating pharmacies will be available here at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
The province said antiviral treatment must begin within five days of symptoms in most cases. A full course of treatment is three pills, twice daily, for five days in a row.
As such, individuals who are part of a higher risk group and who are experiencing symptoms should immediately seek testing and care through their health-care provider or at a clinical assessment centre.
“Antiviral treatment, including the oral antiviral Paxlovid can help to reduce hospitalizations, protect hospital capacity, and protect patients at high risk of severe health outcomes,” Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore said at a news conference held Monday. “Even if you don't have symptoms, talk to your primary care provider in advance to see if the treatment is right for you in the event that you get sick and have a plan.”
“Health-care providers can also determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for patients based on individual circumstances even if they do not belong to one of the high risk groups.”
Patients can also use a positive rapid antigen test to be considered for antiviral treatment, officials said.
The province says they anticipate a regular supply of Paxlovid, an oral antiviral manufactured by Pfizer and approved by Health Canada earlier this year, throughout 2022.
Prior to today’s announcement, the drug was only available to a select group of people, including immunocompromised adults, unvaccinated people aged 60 and up, and unvaccinated people aged 50 and up if they are Indigenous or have one or more risk factors.
At his first news conference in nearly a month, Moore reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated. Ontario residents aged 60 and up are now being urged to book their fourth doses five months after receiving their third shot.
Moore is also recommending that people continue to wear masks amid Ontario's sixth wave of the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Introducing peanut butter during infancy can help protect against a peanut allergy later on, new study finds
New evidence suggests that feeding children smooth peanut butter during infancy and early childhood can help reduce their risk of developing a peanut allergy even years later.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
New COVID-19 subvariants become the dominant strains in Canada
More than four years after COVID-19 effectively shut down the world, two new variants of COVID-19 have become the dominant strains of the novel coronavirus in Canada.
Black bear kebabs make family sick with parasitic worms
It was supposed to be a celebration, but one family’s unique meal of black bear meat sent several members to the hospital instead.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there's a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
NEW Oilers superfan hopeful Edmonton wins so he can get his massive Stanley Cup tattoo retouched
It's been a long time coming, but one Oilers superfan is hoping this will be the year he gets to touch up his massive Stanley Cup back tattoo.
House of Commons Speaker Greg Fergus survives vote calling for his ouster
Greg Fergus survived a vote to oust him as House of Commons Speaker on Tuesday, but with close to half of MPs expressing a loss of confidence in him, he faces a precarious path forward in maintaining order in Parliament.
'It was hell': Israeli mother held hostage with her children describes 51 days in captivity
Hagar Brodutch, her three children and four-year-old neighbour were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants from their home in Kfar Aza, Israel on Oct. 7 and held for 51 days. They were released in November, but Brodutch says her thoughts are never far from those still being held in Gaza.