For non-English speakers
A national call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages -- 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Arizona time, 7 days a week.
For people with disabilities
The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is also available to specifically help people with disabilities access services. To get help, call 1-888-677-1199, Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arizona time or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org.
If you are having difficulty breathing or need immediate medical attention, call 911.
Updated Feb. 3, 2023
Free COVID-19 treatment is available from the Health Department. Call to determine eligibility if you:
- Have been exposed to someone who may be sick
- Have COVID-19 symptoms
- Are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19
- Have tested positive for COVID-19
You can call us at 520-724-7895 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
There is no cost to the patient for any of these treatments or therapeutics, although the provider might collect insurance information.
You can also find locations of pharmacies and health centers in Pima County that can test, prescribe and give you medication at the same location.
Patient information: Types of COVID-19 Treatments and Therapeutics
Oral Therapeutics (Pills)
Pills may help your body fight COVID-19 by stopping the virus that causes COVID-19. Pills available are Paxlovid (which is the medication most often prescribed) and Lagevrio (Molnupiravir)—and should be taken within five days of developing symptoms or testing positive.
Who are they recommended for:
- People 12 or older
- Weigh at least 40 kg (88 pounds)
- Have a high risk of severe COVID-19 disease progression
- Are not in the hospital but have mild to moderate symptoms for five days or less
Benefits of Paxlovid:
- Reduces hospitalization rate by 51% for presumed mild-to-moderate COVID-19 (CDC)
- Effective against the current omicron variants in our community
- Early studies suggest treatment reduces risk of long-COVID conditions (Veterans Affairs)
Frequently Asked Questions
UPDATED JAN. 31, 2023: Why are monoclonal antibodies (mAB) no longer available for COVID-19 treatment or prevention?
On January 27, 2023 the FDA announced that Evusheld, the mAB for prevention of COVID-19 was
no longer authorized for use in the U.S. This decision was made because the product no longer provided protection against the variants now causing infection. Similarly, on November 30, 2022, the FDA
removed authorization for bebtelovimab because it was no longer effective as a treatment against the latest variants. Oral medication remains a treatment option for COVID-positive individuals.
UPDATED FEB. 3, 2023: What oral medications currently treat COVID-19?
There are two prescription oral antiviral COVID-19 treatments that may be used for people who have been exposed to someone who may be sick, or who may have developed COVID-19 symptoms, or who have tested positive and are at high risk of getting very sick. These medicines stop the virus from making copies of itself inside your body. They must be started as soon as possible after a diagnosis of COVID-19, and within five days of symptom onset.
Paxlovid is for people 12 and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds. It can reduce your risk of hospitalization by over 50%. Lagevrio is for those 18 and older for whom other treatment options are not appropriate. A healthcare provider can decide which medication is better for you based on your health conditions and any other medications you might already take.
Some people have reported a “rebound,” a return of symptoms or testing positive again after they finish taking the medications. The return of symptoms or test positivity has not been associated with the disease progressing to severe COVID-19, and taking the antivirals for more than five days is not recommended. Researchers believe this rebound may be a natural behavior of the virus. If you test positive again, you should restart isolation to prevent transmitting the virus to others. The CDC has an online isolation calculator to help you decide when to end isolation. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more information about the oral antivirals.