Increasingly involving the BA. 5 and BA. 4 variant of highly transmissible omicron, cases are higher than last year’s delta wave peak, according to Dr. Jeff Duchin, a public fitness officer for Seattle and King County.
OLYMPIA, Washington — To increase access to life-saving medicines to treat COVID-19, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has introduced a new flexible telehealth option for uninsured and uninsured patients.
The new option is a component of the federal government’s Test to Treat initiative. So far, only insured patients who get care through a provider that already provides telehealth features have had access to COVID-19 telehealth treatment. This new program makes telehealth consultations for COVID-19. 19 available to everyone, regardless of insurance status, with no outlays.
“At DOH, we put a price on equity and innovation, and we have accepted those prices as our reaction to COVID-19,” said Dr. Umair A. Shah, Secretary of Health. “It is imperative to ensure that we can equitably link communities to therapy so that we can continue our project of reducing unnecessary deaths from this disease. “
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The DOH encourages others who test positive for COVID-19 to first discuss the characteristics of treatment with their number one physical care provider. In conditions where this would not be possible, loose telefitness consultations are another option that can further facilitate access to treatment. . People who test positive for COVID-19, even with undeniable self-check, can consult a provider using a smartphone or computer.
If necessary, they can get a prescription for oral antivirals free of charge through delivery or to pick up at the nearest pharmacy. More than 1,000 sites are available in the state.
Oral antiviral medications are a life remedy for others who are at increased risk of hospitalization. This includes patients over the age of 65, obese, pregnant, suffering from chronic diseases or taking immunosuppressive medications. One of the most effective oral antivirals is Paxlovid, which reduces the threat of hospitalization for COVID-19 by about 90%.
RELATED: Antiviral Drugs and Antibody Infusion Are COVID-19 Treatment Options for Pregnant Women
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There are two functions to schedule a telehealth appointment: either by visiting the DOH’s new telehealth website or by calling the DOH COVID-19 call center at 1-800-525-0127. Telehealth providers are available every day from 8 a. m. 8:00 p. m. Lately appointments can be scheduled in 240 languages through translation services.
“Our purpose is for all eligible patients with the highest threat of serious illness to have equitable life-saving remedies against COVID-19,” said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Scientific Officer.
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