Health officials say home test kits, lab tests, vaccinations and therapeutic treatments are now widely available in Nevada for anyone suffering COVID symptoms.
Julia Peek, deputy health division administrator, said the state’s first major order of at-home tests has arrived and are available in many areas. Check the Nevada Health Response website (nvhealthresponse.nv.gov) for nearby locations.
She said the state has also expanded the call center to provide not only vaccinations but testing and therapeutic services.
Therapeutic treatments including anti-virals and monoclonal antibodies are primarily for those people who, for whatever reason, can’t get vaccinated. She emphasized that therapeutics are no replacement for vaccination but said because the state put $19 million into them, they are free to patients.
Therapeutics include pre-exposure medications to reduce the virus’ ability to replicate in the body and monoclonal antibodies to reduce the amount of virus in the body.
Peek said there are two oral anti-viral medicines available that substantially reduce the risk of severe disease but must be taken very soon after symptoms start.
The state is also providing free Evusheld to eligible residents who are already infected. Peek said that drug provides protection for those people not expected to develop an adequate immune response after vaccination or who can’t take the vaccine.
Dr. Rashid Chotani, director of the COVID treatment center in Las Vegas, said the list of those unable to get vaccinated includes those who have had a transplant or cancer.
“The most important thing is we have in this state at this particular point is that anything available for treatment is already available,” he said. “Everybody has the availability to get treatment as soon as possible.”
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