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Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith Monday February 7, 2022 New Tool in Our Toolbox Alpine County Public Health has just received its first allocation of the antiviral medication known as Paxlovid. This is available from us and is used to prevent serious illness if you start to get sick from COVID-19. It is given orally as 3 pills twice daily for 5 days, initiated as soon as possible and within 5 days of onset in those 12 years of age or older and weighing greater than 88 pounds. It must be given as soon as possible after the onset of It also requires a positive test performed by us. Since the supply at this time is very limited, its use will be restricted to persons who are at high risk of needing hospitalization and are at high risk of dying if they get infected. The list of underlying medical conditions is at: conditions.html Highest priority will be given to: - Immunocompromised individuals not expected to mount an immune response to vaccination or infection due to their underlying conditions - Unvaccinated individuals at the highest risk of severe disease, especially those over the age of 74, those over 64 with additional risk factors, and then those under 64 with clinical risk factors. As supply increases and is available, then medication can be provided to vaccinated persons at risk of severe disease due to their age and/or clinical risk factors. If you become sick with COVID and if you are unvaccinated (includes person without a booster), are older than 64 years of age, or have underlying medical conditions at any age >11 years of age, call us at [PHONE REDACTED], Option 1 to get tested. We will interview you to determine eligibility, provide rapid testing, review any medications that you are currently taking, and supply Paxlovid as appropriate. As supply increases, we will expand the categories of person who are eligible. To subscribe to “Public Health Brief”, go to: All Public Health Briefs are archived at Public Health Brief Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Nichole Williamson Public Health Officer HHS Director Office: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 249 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] e-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] 24/7/365 Emergency Contact Number Dispatch: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 330