Make a Plan to Get COVID-19 Treatment
Vaccination and boosters remain the best prevention against serious COVID-19 illness and hospitalization. However, COVID-19 cases are rising in Larimer County. Even if you're vaccinated or have had COVID-19 over the last couple of years, it's still possible to catch the virus. For most people, COVID-19 symptoms are similar to a cold and last around a week. Others who get COVID-19 could become very sick or need to go to the hospital to recover.
Individuals and families should make a plan to access COVID-19 treatment in case they get sick with COVID-19. Today's COVID-19 treatments can prevent severe illness and hospital stays, and approximately 75% of people who become infected with COVID-19 are eligible to receive treatment whether they are vaccinated or not. To get treatment, a person must first test positive for COVID-19, have a virtual or in-person visit with a healthcare provider, and, if treatment is prescribed, pick up a prescription or go to a treatment location.
1. Get Tested for COVID-19
If you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or if you are having COVID-19 symptoms, get tested. You can pick up a free home test kit from Larimer County Department of Health & Environment offices in Fort Collins and Loveland from 8:30AM-4:00PM (NOTE: The Loveland office is closed daily from 12:00-1:00). For more options to get tested in Larimer County, visit our COVID-19 Testing page. You do not need a PCR test to get treatment.
2. Talk with a Healthcare Provider
If you test positive for COVID-19, act fast by contacting your healthcare provider. You must have a visit with a healthcare provider in order to determine if treatment is right for you and to get a prescription. If you do not have a healthcare provider, you can access one of Colorado's Test to Treat locations or a telehealth provider. COVID-19 treatments typically need to be started very soon after testing positive or having symptoms.
- Larimer County Test to Treat location: King Soopers Pharmacy, 1842 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Telehealth providers:
- Sesame Care- Same-day appointments available, requires positive COVID-19 test (at-home test is accepted), no insurance needed. Visits $31-42 (call for updated costs).
- Care on Location Telemedicine- Same-day appointments available, requires positive COVID-19 test (at home test accepted), no insurance needed. Visits $69.99 without insurance (call for updated costs). Accepts Medicaid, Medicare Part B, United Healthcare/AARP Medical advantage, Anthem Medicare advantage, and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.
- For information about additional telehealth providers, visit the CDPHE Telehealth Treatment Provider webpage.
3. Get Treatment, if Prescribed
Antiviral medications may be prescribed to you after visiting with a healthcare provider. Antivirals are medicines that can help treat COVID-19. They are usually pills, but some antiviral medicine is given as an IV infusion. You can find a list of pharmacies that carry COVID-19 medications here. Some treatments may require you to visit an infusion center location. These options will be discussed with you by your healthcare provider.
There are three different types of antivirals available in Colorado:
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Paxlovid is a pill for people who have mild or moderate COVID-19 symptoms and are at high risk of getting very sick. People aged 12 years or older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds) can take Paxlovid.
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Remdesivir (Veklury) is an IV infusion for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick. Remdesivir can be given to patients of all ages, including adults and children.
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Molnupiravir is a pill for people who have tested positive for COVID-19, are at high risk of getting very sick, and cannot receive other COVID-19 treatments. Adults aged 18 years and older can take molnupiravir.
For more information about the types of treatments that are available, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Getting Outpatient Treatment for COVID-19 page.
