Some COVID-19 treatments require those at risk to take action within 5 days
SHDHD COVID Update: 3 more COVID deaths; case rate declines; COVID Alert downgraded to Advisory
Hastings, Neb – In the weekly COVID-19 update on February 15, South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) shared information on COVID-19 treatments and reported three additional deaths attributed to COVID-19. The department also reported a continuing decline in positivity and case rate, although both metrics are still indicating high community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. Due to the improving metrics, SHDHD downgraded the department’s COVID-19 Alert to a COVID-19 Advisory.
SHDHD executive director Michele Bever said community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is still above the threshold for “high” in the health district overall. She cautioned that as long as there is high community transmission, vulnerable residents are more likely to be exposed to the virus, which can result in severe illness, may require hospitalization, and may progress to intensive care, ventilator assistance for breathing, or death.
Bever said effective treatments are not as readily available as they were before Omicron became the most common variant. “For individuals who are at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 illness, timing of treatment is critical. These people should not wait to see how their illness progresses,” she said.
“People who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 should keep some at-home COVID-19 test kits on hand or seek testing early. If you have even mild symptoms, get tested,” Bever said. “High risk individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should talk to their health care provider to see if they meet the criteria for the oral (pill) antiviral treatment, which needs to be started within five days of symptom onset in order to be effective at reducing the severity of the disease.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those more at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 illness include people who have one or more of the following conditions: over age 65; immunocompromised due to cancer treatments or autoimmune diseases; chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, lung disease, and heart disease; and other underlying health conditions.
The health department encourages residents to protect themselves and others who are at risk for severe COVID-19 illness by using multiple layers of prevention to reduce the risk of infection, severe illness, hospitalization and death.
“The most effective layer of prevention for everyone age five and above is getting fully vaccinated and boosted. This includes those at high risk of getting very sick with infection,” Bever said.
Bever also noted that monoclonal antibody infusion treatments effective against Omicron are in short supply and, like antiviral medications, are being prioritized for individuals at high risk of progression to severe COVID-19 illness. “Since these treatments are in short supply, we can’t count on them being available for us,” she said. “The COVID-19 vaccine is readily available. Vaccination stimulates your immune system to make your own antibodies, priming your body to fight a future infection; it provides longer lasting protection than monoclonal antibody treatment,” she said.