Make a Plan to Get COVID-19 Treatment

Vaccines and extra shots, called boosters, are really important to protect you from getting very sick with COVID-19 or having to stay in the hospital. 

Even if you had the vaccine or had COVID-19 in the past, there's still a chance you could catch it again. For most people, COVID-19 is like a cold and lasts about a week, but some people can get much sicker and might need to go to the hospital.

It's a good idea for you and your family to make a plan to get treatment if anyone gets sick with COVID-19. The treatments we have now can help stop you from getting really sick and needing to go to the hospital. About 75% of people who get COVID-19 can get this treatment, whether they had the vaccine or not. To get treatment, you first need to test positive for COVID-19, then talk to a doctor, either online or in person. If the doctor says you need treatment, you'll get a prescription for medicine or be told to go to a place where they give the treatment.

1. Get Tested for COVID-19

If you've been around someone with COVID-19 or feel sick, it's important to get a test. You can get a free test to use at home from health offices in Fort Collins and Loveland. They're open from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (note, the Loveland office closes from 12:00 to 1:00 every day). There are other places to get tested too, and you can find them on our COVID-19 Testing page. You do not need a PCR (detailed) test to get treatment. 

2. Talk with a Doctor

If your test shows you have COVID-19, you should quickly contact a doctor. You need to see a doctor to figure out if you need treatment. If you don't have a doctor, there are places in Colorado where you can get tested and treated, or you can talk to a doctor online. 

It's important to start treatment quickly after you find out you're sick or start feeling sick.

• Two places for online doctor visits are:
  • Sesame Care- Sesame Care offers appointments on the same day. You just need a positive COVID-19 test. The cost is about $31-42, but you should call them for the latest prices. No insurance is required.
  • Care on Location Telemedicine- They also have same-day appointments for people with a positive COVID-19 test. It costs $69.99 without insurance, but they accept some insurance plans like Medicaid and Medicare. United Healthcare/AARP Medical advantage, Anthem Medicare advantage, and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans.
  • You can find more online doctors on the CDPHE Telehealth website. 

3. Get Treatment, if Prescribed

If your doctor thinks you need it, they might give you antiviral medicines. Antivirals are special medicines to help treat COVID-19. Usually, they come as pills, but sometimes you get them through an IV, which is a small tube in your arm.

You can find out which pharmacies have these medicines. Some treatments might mean you have to go to a special place called an infusion center. Your doctor will talk to you about these choices.

In Colorado, there are three types of antiviral medicines:

• Paxlovid: This is a pill for people who are just a little or somewhat sick with COVID-19 but are at high risk of getting very sick. People 12 years or older and weigh at least 88 pounds can take Paxlovid.
• Remdesivir (Veklury): This one goes into your arm through an IV. It's for people who have COVID-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick. People of all ages, including kids and adults, can get Remdesivir.
• Molnupiravir: This is another pill. It's for adults 18 years or older who have COVID-19, are at risk of getting very sick, and can't take other COVID-19 medicines.

To learn more about these treatment options, you can visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment's Getting Outpatient Treatment for COVID-19 page.