2 Types Of COVID-19 Antiviral Medication On Hand In Erie County

Erie County residents who test positive for COVID-19 can access two oral antiviral medications. The Erie County Department of Health announced that the medicines are available to people ages 12 and older, with a prescription. The two antivirals are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Paxlovid and molnupiravir can help COVID-19 patients who are at risk for severe illness from the virus. They are specifically for non-hospitalized individuals who are symptomatic. Paxlovid reduced to risk of hospitalization by 88 percent and molnupiravir reduced hospitalization by about 30 percent during clinical trials.

The Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein said,

“There is a five-day window where these two medications may have an effect on preventing more serious illness in COVID-19 patients. That is why we are sharing this information widely, so our medical community and the general public know about these options.”

Common COVID-19 symptoms include:

Fever/Chills

Cough

Shortness of Breath/Difficulty Breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or Body Aches

Headache

Loss of Taste or Smell

Sore Throat

Congestion or Runny Nose

Nausea or Vomiting

There Are Two New Walk-In COVID-19 Testing Sites in Erie County

The Erie County Department of Health announced that it has two walk-in COVID-19 testing sites for residents. No need to make an appointment if you need to know your COVID-19 status. With these two new locations, you can simply walk-in to get tested. Currently, the 7-day average COVID-19 positivity rate is 12.36%, while the statewide rate is 6.64%, as of January 30, 2022. There were 6 deaths due to COVID-19 in Erie County.

The first location is the Jesse Nash Health Center at 608 William Street in Buffalo, which is expanding its operation. You can get a walk-in or drive-up test on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm. The site will accept appointments, but not required, even though it is a walk-in site.

The second testing site is at the Erie County Fire Training Academy, located at 3359 Broadway in Cheektowaga. Free drive-through testing is accepted without an appointment. Hours of operation at this site vary, so please call ahead at (716) 858-2929.

The sites will offer the COVID-19 PCR test, where you can get your results within 1 to 3 business days. It will also offer the rapid COVID-19 ID Now test, where you can get your results on-site.

Available tests will include, with results available in 1-3 business days, and a rapid COVID-19 ID Now test, with results available on-site.

You can always call the Erie County DOH's COVID-19 line at (716) 858-2929. If you still aren't vaccinated, you can get information online here. There are many pop-up vaccination events scheduled for February.

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