City Of Long Beach Expands Access To Coronavirus Treatments

Long Beach CA

12 June, 2022

11:38 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Long Beach: June 9, 2022 Long Beach, CA – Effective immediately, the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), in partnership with Healthvana, the City's test results delivery partner, will make it easier for people to receive COVID-19 medications after contracting the virus. This expanded access to COVID-19 antiviral treatment will help people better navigate options for free life-saving medication when receiving a positive test result, whether from one of the City-run COVID-19 testing sites or from a test administered at home. Through this partnership and expansion with Healthvana, the City's COVID-19 test results delivery partner, the City will provide equitable and timely access to treatment, improving health outcomes for all, especially those with less access to a primary care provider and those who are at higher risk. "Expanding access to these important, life-saving treatments will do so much for our community," said Mayor Robert Garcia. "By increasing options and reducing the time between a positive test and treatment-in-hand, we're improving the health and well-being of those who are most at risk." PCR test results through the Healthvana platform will now include a clickable button that will link to information about treatment options and allow people to request antivirals for free (if applicable) through Los Angeles County's telehealth phone line at 1-833-540-0473. This new feature, built into Healthvana's test results, will make it easier for the community to receive and benefit from the antivirals Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, which should be taken within five days of symptom onset. Both medications reduce the ability of the virus to multiply and spread through the body, reducing the risk of hospitalization. Additionally, those who receive a positive test result from an at-home test or from a rapid antigen test administered at one of the City-run sites can also call 1-833-540-0473 for treatment assessment. People can contact telehealth services seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Call center staff will answer questions and connect patients to services as needed. These antiviral treatments are free, do not require the person to have a primary care physician and are available regardless of immigration status. The treatment can be prescribed through the telehealth phone line and can be delivered to the patient's door the very next day. To learn more about COVID-19 treatments, people can visit longbeach.gov/covid19treatments. The Health Department continues to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible, as it remains the single best way to protect yourself and those around you against COVID-19. While these COVID-19 antiviral treatments are essential in saving lives, they are not a substitute for the vaccine. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and especially effective at preventing hospitalization, serious illness or death among breakthrough cases of the virus. To view the most up-to-date vaccine clinic schedule and to schedule an appointment, visit longbeach.gov/vaxLB or call 562.570.4636. About Healthvana Healthvana uses modern technology to make healthcare better for patients - and has done so over 50 million times since 2015. Its HIPAA-compliant patient communication platform is used by healthcare providers to engage their patient populations in over 20 states. The company's evidence-based solutions lead to better health outcomes, with a focus on underserved populations. Healthvana's work has been featured everywhere from Fox News to the New York Times, and even at the White House. For more information, visit www.Healthvana.com. For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up-to-date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach. This press release was produced by the City of Long Beach. The views expressed here are the author's own.