Windsor Regional Hospital has the approval to start using two medications that can help alleviate more severe COVID-19 symptoms, Sotrovimab and Paxlovid.
The supply of both medications is limited and may only be used on patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and meet strict guidelines.
Both have been approved by Health Canada, but health officials stress they are not a substitute for vaccination.
Those who qualify for monoclonal antibody or antiviral treatment must be experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 and be at a higher risk of developing more severe illness.
They are those who are over 18 and are immunocompromised, unvaccinated people who are 60 or older, unvaccinated First Nations, Inuit, or Metis over 50, and those who are not vaccinated, over 50 and have one or more risk factors.
"Being unvaccinated puts you at a significantly higher risk of ending up in the hospital or the ICU and that's the reason that population is being targeted as a high-risk population to receive some of these outpatient treatments," said WRH Chief of Staff Dr. Wassim Saad. "Even within the unvaccinated, it is the older population that we are more concerned about."
Paxlovid must be given within five days of the onset of symptoms, and a full treatment is three pills, twice a day, for five days in a row. The five-day time frame is very strict so anyone who thinks they may qualify for the treatment is encouraged to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Sotrovimab is delivered intravenously and also must be administered within five days of the onset of symptoms.
"The message is if you are in those high-risk groups and you are positive for COVID call the clinic and if you qualify for the treatment you will get it and there is a good chance that you will stay out of hospital," said Dr. Saad. "It really is hard to predict which way the infection is going to break for you. You could recover completely with no ill effects or you could end up in hospital."
Only a healthcare provider and pharmacist can determine if you qualify for either treatment after reviewing other current medications. Individuals are encouraged to see their healthcare provider or make an appointment for a clinical assessment at the Windsor Regional Hospital Assessment Centre at Oullette Campus.
Given the small window of opportunity to use these medications and the limited supply, Dr. Saad does not anticipate them having a huge impact immediately.
"This how we are probably going to end up managing the endemic state of this virus. It may have a slight impact now with Omicron but as we know we're on the downward trend with respect to this wave," said Dr. Saad "It's going to be a bumpy road on the way down from this Omicron wave so [these medications] may help us during that phase but I do see it playing more of a role in the long-term management of COVID in the endemic state."