COVID-19
Patients & Visitors

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccination, testing, treatments and resources information.

COVID-19

Please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit for community risk and resource information.

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing

Click here to find a vaccination, testing centre based on your location.

What COVID-19 Treatments are available?

COVID-19 treatments (including the Paxlovid pill and Remdesivir intravenous antiviral medication) are available for people who have COVID-19 and are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. These treatments are available for free by prescription for anyone who would benefit from them.

COVID-19 treatments can help people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill stay out of the hospital. They must be taken within the first five to seven days (depending on the treatment) after symptoms start.

Paxlovid Questions? – Click Here

Remdesivir

The COHT Care Clinic is now able to offer Remdesivir directly on-site, an intravenous antiviral medication
administered as a three-day course, for patients at higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 and are not eligible for Paxlovid.

Healthcare providers, Clinical Assessment Centers / Care Clinics, Pharmacies etc. can refer or patients themselves may self-refer to the COHT Care Clinic to be assessed for eligibility.

Access to Remdesivir from the COHT Care Clinic opens up access to care for patients in our Region (northern-central Ontario) who would have otherwise had to travel extensively or to local emergency departments, for three consecutive days, to locations in the GTA south.

Remdesivir Referral Form

Who Is Eligible For COVID-19 Treatment?

To get treatment, you must test positive for COVID-19 (by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or rapid antigen test) and a health care provider must assess you to determine if treatment is right for you, which includes whether or not you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.

People meeting the following criteria should get tested and assessed for treatment:

  • over 18 and immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications)
  • over 70
  • over 60 with fewer than three vaccine doses
  • over 18 with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one of the following risk conditions:
    • obesity
    • diabetes
    • heart disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure
    • chronic respiratory disease (including cystic fibrosis)
    • cerebral palsy
    • intellectual or developmental disabilities
    • sickle cell disease
    • moderate or severe kidney disease
    • moderate or severe liver disease
    • pregnant and unvaccinated (zero doses)

Use the Ontario government’s COVID-19 antiviral treatment screener to help you decide if you should be tested and assessed for treatment.

Meeting the criteria above does not guarantee access to COVID-19 treatment.  A health care provider will determine if you need treatment.   Please contact our Couchiching Ontario Health Clinic for an assessment to decide if you should get treatment.