New COVID-19 Treatments Available; Awareness Campaign Launched: Hochul

LONG ISLAND, NY — New treatments for COVID-19 are available, and a public awareness campaign has been launched to help inform New Yorkers who test positive, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday.

The $1 million awareness campaign will run in English and Spanish across TV, radio and digital media, encouraging New Yorkers to test early for COVID-19 and treat it as soon as possible if they test positive, Hochul said.

COVID-19 positivity rates continue to climb on Long Island; as of Monday, Long Island led the state with the highest positivity rate at 10.85 percent, followed by western New York at 9.77 percent.

New Yorkers who test positive for COVID-19 can now seek new treatments that help prevent severe disease, the New York State Department of Health's COVID-19 information page states.

"COVID-19 treatments work best when you receive them as soon as possible after becoming sick, so it's important to get tested and talk to your doctor right away to find the treatment that is best for you," the page said. "Each of these treatments have proven to be effective against COVID-19 and are available throughout New York State."

There are currently two types of treatment options available, the page said. Those include:

• Monoclonal Antibody Treatment: Given soon after positive COVID-19 diagnosis to help fight infection and shorten recovery time, or as a preventative to be given to those who are not COVID-19 positive but who have immune system issues or who are unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the page states.
• The treatment is administered via an intravenous drip or via injection (preventative)

Antivirals:

• Given soon after positive COVID-19 diagnosis to help fight infection and shorten recovery time.
• Administration: Either via intravenous (IV) drip or as a tablet or capsule.

All treatments require a prescription; talk to a provider to see what is right for you.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and do not have a regular health care provider, you can be evaluated for treatment by either:

• calling 1-888-TREAT-NY, or
• visiting the NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access Website

Eligibility

New Yorkers 12 years or older who test positive for COVID-19 and are experiencing symptoms may be eligible for treatment. The FDA also recently approved the antiviral Veklury, or remdesivir, for pediatric patients 28 days or older weighing at least 3 kilograms.

Monoclonal antibody treatment through IV infusion is given within seven days of having symptoms and oral antivirals can be given within 5 days of having symptoms, state officials said.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett added: "The earlier treatment is started after a positive test result, the better it works at reducing symptoms and preventing more serious illness. Being vaccinated and boosted is still the best protection against COVID-19."

The campaign features links to resources about COVID-19 treatment options on the New York State Health Department's website. The ads, presented in English and Spanish, will run on TV, radio and digital media until August.

Hochul also announced the launch of a new free hotline Monday for those who test positive for COVID-19, but don't have a health care provider. All New Yorkers outside of New York City, regardless of income or health insurance coverage who test COVID-19 positive, are eligible to be evaluated for treatment by calling 888-TREAT-NY, 888-873-2869, or completing an evaluation at the NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access website, which includes a telemedicine visit. New York City residents should call 212-COVID-19.

"We continue to build on our ongoing efforts to protect New Yorkers as we navigate the pandemic," Hochul said. "Treatment is a critical tool to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and prevent serious illness, and this new public awareness campaign equips New Yorkers with the facts about treatment options that are available."