COVID-19 early treatment options and pathways

Although there is no cure for COVID-19, early treatments have been developed that are proving to be effective for people with COVID-19 who also have other health conditions.

Because these other conditions can increase your risk of becoming very sick, it is important that treatment is started within the first few days of being infected.

If you are eligible for a treatment below, please use the referral pathway finder to determine your health service provider.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible if:

• You are COVID-19 positive AND
• You have had symptoms less than 5 days AND
• You are over 12 years old and weigh more than 40kg AND
• You are immunocompromised (regardless of vaccination status) OR
• You have had less than three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine AND have one of the following:
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Renal Disease
  • Heart Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • COPD
  • Asthma
  • Are over 65

Note: The criteria is based on guidance provided by the Department of Health and is subject to change. Further information for clinicians is available on the Department of Health website. Patients will be assessed against the most up-to-date criteria available.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, please use the referral pathway finder to determine your health service provider and a link to their services.

If you live outside of these areas, please speak to your GP or your COVID-19 Positive Pathways team for advice about treatment options near you.

What treatments are currently available?

Remdesivir

• Remdesivir is an antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
• It needs to be given in the first 7 days of symptoms.
• It reduces the risk of hospitalisation or death by 87%.
• It has to be given through an “IV” or a “drip”, once a day for three days.

Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir

• This is an oral medication you take for 5 days.
• You need to start it within 5 days of the start of symptoms.
• It has been shown to reduce the risk of need to come to hospital or dying by 86%.
• We will need a list of the current medications you take to see if you can take this treatment.

Molnupirivr

• This is an oral medication you take for 5 days.
• You need to start it within 5 days of the start of symptoms.
• It has been shown to reduce the need to come to hospital or dying by 30%.

Our clinic nurses and doctor will talk to you about which treatment would suit you best.

Referral pathway finder

Please note: if the postcode entered is not found, the suburb is not in the SEPHU catchment. Please contact your COVID Care Pathway provider to determine your local public health unit or health service provider.