COVID-19: Paxlovid pill available to eligible Saskatchewan residents beginning Wednesday
Global News
The Saskatchewan government says the province has received a limited quantity of 900 courses of Paxlovid from the federal supply, but more shipments are expected.
The government of Saskatchewan has announced that the Pfizer-manufactured Paxlovid pill will be available for eligible residents starting Wednesday.
Saskatchewan has received a limited quantity of 900 courses from the federal supply, but more shipments are expected, according to a statement from the government on Tuesday.
Paxlovid, the first oral antiviral pill made to treat COVID-19, was just given approval by Health Canada.
Pills are supposed to be taken twice a day for five days to stop the virus from multiplying in the body, to help people with lower immunity to COVID-19 overcome the virus and stop progression to hospitalization.
However, there are a set of eligibility rules that come with the medication.
Paxlovid is only recommended for adults who are over 18 years of age. Residents need to be symptomatic and be within five days of developing symptoms.
Eligibility also requires people to receive a positive PCR or rapid test result for mild to moderate COVID-19.
Those wanting the treatment cannot have any medical conditions that would make treatment inappropriate, according to the government. In addition, people need to meet the following criteria: