 Health Department begins COVID-19 Test to Treat program
PIMA COUNTY, June 23, 2022 – The Pima County Health Department began offering a free COVID-19 Test to Treat program at its East Clinic, 6920 E. Broadway Blvd., on Thursday, June 23.
The East Clinic is open for Test to Treat:
- Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This program, in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides testing and access to treatment for COVID 19; testing is available at the Test to Treat site. People who test positive will be evaluated by a health care provider at the clinic to see if they meet certain eligibility requirements for medication. If they do, they will immediately receive a prescription for antiviral pills against COVID-19. There is no cost for this and there is no insurance required.
Individuals who already have a positive test (from an at-home test or a testing site) can walk into the clinic for an evaluation for COVID-19 treatment. They can also call 520-724-7895 to determine eligibility. The phone number will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Both oral medications available by prescription (Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s Lagevrio) are effective against COVID-19 when started early – within five days of the start of symptoms.
Test to Treat is also already available at some health care providers in Pima County as part of a nationwide, federal initiative.
“This new program will help ensure that those who don’t have easy access to care, or can’t see their usual health care provider, can get the timely treatment they need after a COVID-19 infection,” said Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer this to everybody with the help of FEMA, which previously has been a great partner with COVID-19 vaccination and testing in our community.”
People are potentially eligible for oral antiviral treatment after a positive test if:
- They are 12 or older
- Weigh at least 88 pounds
- Have mild to moderate symptoms
- Have a high risk of severe COVID-19 illness
Individuals will be asked to provide some general information, such as contact information and when they tested positive for COVID-19.
This Pima County partnership with FEMA is expected to run for about a month, with a potential extension based on community need.
For more information on where to get tested for COVID-19 in Pima County, go to pima.gov/covid19testing.
For more information on COVID-19 treatment, go to pima.gov/covid19treatment.
|
