Southern Nevada Health District expands Paxlovid availability

Testing update provided

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 26, 2022

LAS VEGAS — Last week, the Southern Nevada Health District received 120 treatment courses of the COVID-19 medication, Paxlovid and began offering the treatment to patients who test positive, are symptomatic, over the age of 65, and meet the criteria for taking the medication. Today, accessibility to treatment is being expanded to include people 12 to 64 years of age with a positive COVID-19 test who are at higher risk for severe illness. People in this group must also have symptoms of COVID-19, and those symptoms must have started within the last five days. A complete list of conditions included in the criteria is available on the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/paxlovid.

Paxlovid is a new oral medication to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease in adults and children 12 years of age and older who are at higher risk for progressing to severe illness, including hospitalization and death. The therapeutic received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2021. A study found that Paxlovid reduced the chance of hospitalization or death by 88 percent. People must start taking the medication within five days of when their symptoms began.

“We are pleased to be expanding the availability of Paxlovid to our patients and to be making this treatment option more accessible in our community,” said Dr. Cort Lohff, Chief Medical Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “Paxlovid can help keep people who are at risk and do get COVID from getting seriously ill out of the hospital. People who get tested at our clinic and may be eligible will be set up with a virtual appointment with one of our providers if they are interested in this treatment.”

People who may meet the criteria and are interested in testing and screening for eligibility will need to get tested at the Health District’s clinic at its main public health center located at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. Appointments are available at www.SNHD.info/covid-testing.

Testing Update

In the first two week of their operations, the surge testing sites at Texas Station and Fiesta Station have administered more than 24,300 tests. Appointments at these locations can be made at www.INeedaCOVID19Test.com or by calling 1-800-635-8611.

A new testing site opened at the Clark County Fairgrounds this week, adding access in our rural communities which includes sites in Laughlin, Mesquite and Sandy Valley.

More information and COVID-19 resources are available at www.SNHD.info/covid.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.