Ontario announces it is expanding access to COVID-19 antivirals

Ontario announced it is expanding eligibility for COVID-19 antiviral treatments and PCR testing to more high-risk individuals.

Effective immediately, the following higher-risk groups are eligible to be tested and assessed for antiviral treatments, such as Paxlovid, in Ontario:

• Individuals aged 18 and over who are immunocompromised (have an immune system that is weakened by a health condition or medications);
• Individuals aged 70 and over;
• Individuals aged 60 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses; and
• Individuals aged 18 and over with fewer than three vaccine doses and at least one risk condition (e.g., a chronic medical condition)

“I am pleased that we will be able to offer more accessible antiviral treatment options to more people across Ontario,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, in a statement. “I ask everyone across Ontario to continue doing their part to keep their communities and loved ones safe by staying up to date on vaccinations and wearing masks.”

This marks the first time Moore has given an update on the COVID-19 situation in the province since he stopped in early March. He had cited an improving pandemic outlook.

The announcement comes as Public Health Ontario shows COVID-19 test positivity rates and hospitalizations have gone up since March 21, when the province ended mandatory masking in many indoor spaces.

Moore says the province will not reinstate mandatory mask mandates, but recommends that people continue to wear masks.

He said during a press conference that the province is in its sixth wave of COVID-19 and that it will last for weeks.

The province also announced that anyone who is eligible for an assessment is now also eligible for a PCR test at any testing centre in Ontario.

Beginning April 12, Ontario says it is also expanding dispensing locations to include participating pharmacies across the province.

The list of pharmacies that are dispensing Paxlovid will be available at Ontario.ca/antivirals as of Wednesday, April 13, at 8:00 a.m. The list will be regularly updated.

The province says treatment for antivirals must be started within five day of symptoms in most cases.

Ontario also says it is also working with health system partners and health care providers to prioritize groups that may be at increased risk due to other health-related factors and barriers to health care.

This includes First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals, Black individuals and members of other racialized communities.

“Thanks to the millions of Ontarians who were vaccinated, we have been able to cautiously and safely reopen our province,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, in a statement. “By expanding access to antivirals and PCR testing, in addition to recently expanding eligibility for fourth doses, we are using every tool available to us to ensure Ontarians have the best protection available while we adapt to managing and living with COVID-19.”

The province also says a regular supply of Paxlovid is expected throughout the rest of the year.