Steps to Take if You Test Positive
Most peole who have mild symptoms can recover at home. If you are concerned about your health, are at high risk for severe illness, or have emergency warning signs seek medical attention right away. Treatments are available for people who are at high risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19. These treatments need to be started within 5-7 days after your symptoms first developed so don't delay. Several antiviral medications have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at risk for severe illness including Paxlovid, Veklury, and Lagevrio.
Take Care of Yourself
If you test positive for COVID-19:
- Stay home & monitor your symptoms.
- Separate yourself from others and use a different bathroom if possible.
- Wear a well-fitting mask when around others.
- Use fever-reducing medication when indicated.
- Stay hydrated.
- Get plenty of rest.
Therapeutics (Treatments for COVID-19)
If you test positive for COVID-19 and are within a short timeframe from the start of your symptoms, you may be eligible for oral or IV treatments. Most treatments are in limited supply.
(Note that treatments are not a replacement for vaccination, and COVID-19 vaccination is the strongest prevention tool to lower the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, or death from COVID-19).
The following Health Alerts include information about COVID-19 treatment options and links related product information within:
Health Advisory #187: Oral Antiviral Treatments for COVID-19 Now Available in Limited Supply by Prescription (Dec. 29, 2021)
Health Advisory #189:
Change in COVID-19 Treatments and Locations (Feb 4, 2022)
Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutic Treatments: https://protect-public.hhs.gov/pages/therapeutics-distribution
Prescription treatments for COVID-19: https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Documents/2022-1-28%20Treatments%20for%20COVID.pptx.pdf
Paxlovid Resources: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/COVID19/investigation-MCM/Paxlovid/Pages/default.aspx
Molnupiravir Resources: https://www.phe.gov/emergency/events/COVID19/investigation-MCM/molnupiravir/Pages/default.aspx
Therapeutics Locator: https://covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/