HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S FREE COVID-19 TREATMENT PROGRAM EXPANDS TO WEEKENDS

PIMA COUNTY, The Pima County Health Department is adding weekend hours to its free COVID-19 Test to Treat program, starting Saturday, Jan. 28.

Individuals who already have a positive test (from an at-home test or a testing site) can call 520-724-7895 on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to determine eligibility for medication. Those who meet certain eligibility requirements immediately will receive a prescription for antiviral pills against COVID-19. There is no cost and no insurance required.

The weekday hours for the Test to Treat program remain the same: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Test to Treat is also available at some healthcare providers in Pima County as part of a nationwide, federal initiative. The County’s program helps ensure that those who don’t have easy access to care or can’t see their usual healthcare provider, can get the timely treatment they need after a COVID-19 infection.

People are potentially eligible for oral antiviral treatment after a positive test if:

• They are 12 or older
• Weigh at least 88 pounds
• Have mild to moderate symptoms
• Have a high risk of severe COVID-19 illness

Individuals will be asked to provide some general information, such as contact information, when they tested positive for COVID-19, and medical history to determine eligibility.

The oral medication is effective against COVID-19 when started within five days of the start of symptoms.

The Health Department has been able to prescribe COVID-19 antiviral pills to more than 2,400 people since launching the program on June 23, 2022.

The expanded weekend hours are the result of a partnership with the Premier Medical Group.

“This free treatment is one of the ways we continue to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in our community,” said Pima County Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Cullen. “With these new hours, we hope to eliminate any delay for people who want to get started on treatment, which reduces the potential for serious outcomes from COVID-19.”

For more information on COVID-19 treatment, go to pima.gov/covid19treatment.

For more information on where to get tested for COVID-19 in Pima County – and where to pick up free at-home test kits – go to pima.gov/covid19testing.