Novel Coronavirus COVID-19
 

Treatment for COVID-19

There are two types of treatments available for COVID-19.

  • The first type is a preventative treatment that is given before any known exposure to COVID-19 to prevent illness.
  • The second type is provided after individuals become sick with COVID-19 to prevent serious illness. Different treatments must be given within either 5 or 7 days of symptom onset, so you must seek treatment quickly to be eligible.

COVID-19 treatment is not a substitute for vaccination. Getting vaccinated is your best defense against the virus.

 

On this page:

 

 

Preventative Treatment

Preventative treatment (also called pre-exposure prophylaxis) is meant to be given before any known exposure to COVID-19 to help prevent COVID-19 illness. The preventative treatment currently available is Evusheld.

Evusheld is a drug that contains two types of monoclonal antibodies, tixagevimab and cilgavimab. The drug gives you temporary antibodies that prevent the virus from infecting healthy cells in your body. This may help prevent COVID-19 illness. It is delivered through intramuscular injections. For information on Evusheld please refer to the fact sheet in the Resources for Public section.

Adults and children (12 years of age and older, weighing at least 40 kg) may be eligible for preventative treatment if they are:

  • severely immunocompromised and unlikely to have an adequate immune response to COVID‐19 vaccination, or COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended; AND
  • are not currently infected with COVID-19 and have not had recent known contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you meet these eligibility criteria, talk with your health care provider to see if preventative treatment is appropriate for you. If you are eligible, there is no cost to you.

 

 

Treatment for adults with COVID-19

Adults may be eligible for COVID-19 treatment if you:

  • have developed symptoms that began in the last 5 to 7 days,
  • have tested positive for COVID-19, and
  • are at higher risk of severe outcomes.

You may be considered at higher risk of severe outcomes if you:

  • are not fully vaccinated,
  • have not received a booster dose,
  • have not been previously infected with COVID-19,
  • are an older adult - your risk increases with age,
  • have one or more chronic medical conditions,
  • are moderately to severely immunocompromised, due to a medical condition or treatment,
  • are obese, or
  • are pregnant.

Depending on your age and health status, you may still be considered at higher risk of developing severe outcomes - even if you have received all of the COVID-19 vaccine doses that you are eligible for.

If you are 18 or older and meet these eligibility criteria, talk with your health care provider or call Health Links - Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) to see if COVID-19 treatment is right for you.

To improve access, one of the treatments (Paxlovid) will be available at 175+ pharmacies across Manitoba with a prescription. Use this list to find a location near you.

 

 

Treatment for youth/children with COVID-19

People younger than 18 may qualify for COVID-19 treatment if they have symptoms that began within the previous 5 to 7 days, have tested positive for COVID-19, and meet the criteria in one of these two categories.

Category 1

  • are immunocompromised due to a medical condition or treatment (regardless of whether you are vaccinated or previously infected with COVID-19)

Category 2

  • are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated; AND
  • have no prior history of COVID-19 infection; AND
  • have a serious health condition, which may include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease or liver disease.

After you receive COVID-19 treatment, continue following the isolation recommendations. Treatment does not shorten your isolation time. Public health guidance for isolation can be found at https://manitoba.ca/covid19/treatment/symptoms-and-exposure.html

If symptoms get worse call Health Links - Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) or your health-care provider.

Call 911 immediately if you experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, such as:

  • difficulty breathing
  • severe chest pain
  • feelings of confusion
  • loss of consciousness.

For fact sheets and links please check the Resources for the Public