Coronavirus testing sites in New York City will begin issuing the antiviral COVID-19 drug paxlovid to people who test positive for the virus as part of the city’s new “Test to Treat” initiative — the first of its kind in the United States.
Mayor Adams announced the new plan Thursday alongside White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha and several top city health officials in the Inwood section of Manhattan.
“This mobile Test to Treat program will save lives today and prepares us for future waves of this pandemic,” Adams said.
As part of the initiative, which launched on Thursday as well, mobile testing units managed by the city’s Test & Trace Corps have brought on clinicians who can immediately issue prescriptions for antiviral medications like paxlovid — which comes free or charge as part of the program.
The new Test to Treat units are partnering with local pharmacies — like the one Adams appeared outside of in Inwood — to ensure there’s a quick turnaround on prescriptions.
The program, which the city expects to expand, is starting with three mobile testing units that are paired with three pharmacies — the one in Inwood, Burke Avenue Pharmacy in the Bronx and Rex Pharmacy in South Ozone Park, Queens.
Jha, who serves as one of President Biden’s top health officials, noted that COVID-19 deaths are down 90% since Biden took office in Jan. 2021, but also stressed that “COVID isn’t over.”
“We must ensure lifesaving treatments like paxlovid are reaching our hardest-hit communities,” he said. “That’s exactly what New York City is doing.”
