COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire are much lower than they were over the winter, but with the virus still spreading, doctors are reminding people that treatments are readily available.Antiviral medication for COVID-19 is available at pharmacies, hospitals and other health care facilities. Nearly 200 locations carry them in New Hampshire.>> Find COVID-19 treatment optionsTwo pills are approved to treat COVID-19: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. They require a prescription and must be taken with five days of the onset of symptoms. They’re intended for people who test positive for COVID-19 and have a medical condition that puts them at risk for severe disease. They should be relatively easy to get, but the demand for them doesn’t appear to be high. Dr. Rebecca Wang, of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, said fewer people want them now compared to when they hit the market, in part because fewer people are getting COVID-19.”Part of the decreased demand might just have to do with the fact that patients and providers might not be aware of these medications or aware of how to access them,” Wang said.Even if the number of cases in New Hampshire is low, someone who is at risk for severe illness should seek out treatment if they get infected to avoid hospitalization, experts said.”I think that those pharmacies are going to be working with their own providers, as well as the providers out in the community, to make sure that individuals have access to these really important therapeutics when it is right for them,” said Patricia Tilley, director of the Division of Public Health Services.
COVID-19 cases in New Hampshire are much lower than they were over the winter, but with the virus still spreading, doctors are reminding people that treatments are readily available.
Antiviral medication for COVID-19 is available at pharmacies, hospitals and other health care facilities. Nearly 200 locations carry them in New Hampshire.
>> Find COVID-19 treatment options
Two pills are approved to treat COVID-19: Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. They require a prescription and must be taken with five days of the onset of symptoms. They’re intended for people who test positive for COVID-19 and have a medical condition that puts them at risk for severe disease.
They should be relatively easy to get, but the demand for them doesn’t appear to be high. Dr. Rebecca Wang, of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, said fewer people want them now compared to when they hit the market, in part because fewer people are getting COVID-19.
“Part of the decreased demand might just have to do with the fact that patients and providers might not be aware of these medications or aware of how to access them,” Wang said.
Even if the number of cases in New Hampshire is low, someone who is at risk for severe illness should seek out treatment if they get infected to avoid hospitalization, experts said.
“I think that those pharmacies are going to be working with their own providers, as well as the providers out in the community, to make sure that individuals have access to these really important therapeutics when it is right for them,” said Patricia Tilley, director of the Division of Public Health Services.