California has plenty of anti-COVID drugs, but doctors aren’t prescribing them

Pfizer’s Paxlovid pills are displayed in Pembroke Pines, Florida. “Many of our hospitals across the state are reaching capacity — if they aren’t there already — and one of the ways we can reduce admissions is by treating individuals who have COVID-19,” Dr. Tomás Aragón, the California public health director and health officer, said in a statement. “Unlike previous years, people now have safe and effective treatment options that can prevent serious disease, reduce hospitalization and may also lower the risk of long COVID-19 symptoms.” Such treatments, he said Tuesday, “are underutilized, particularly among communities that have been hardest hit by COVID-19. As soon as someone has new symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat or fever, they should immediately test for COVID-19 and seek treatment if they are positive.” Those who test positive for the coronavirus should promptly contact a healthcare provider because treatments need to begin within five to seven days following the onset of symptoms, according to the California Department of Public Health. “We have highly effective treatments that are widely available if people get sick,” said Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator.