COVID-19 testing and treatments

Publication date: December 17, 2024

Testing can determine if you have COVID-19. There are two approved treatments to help prevent severe illness in people who are at higher risk from COVID-19.

COVID-19 testing

Testing can determine if you have COVID-19. If you are unsure about your symptoms or whether you should get a COVID-19 test, use the COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool.

Rapid antigen tests

Rapid tests can be used to test people with COVID-19 symptoms at home.

Test kits are available for free at many community pharmacies.

Find rapid test kits at a pharmacy

How to use a rapid antigen test at home

Each kit comes with instructions on how to use the tests. You can also ask the pharmacist if you have questions.

For more information on testing for COVID-19, please review the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Testing for COVID-19 page.

Testing for travel

Testing to screen for COVID-19 before traveling is not available through the B.C. provincial health care system. You may get an exemption if you must travel for medical reasons.

Treatments for people who have COVID-19

Two therapeutic treatments for COVID-19 are currently approved if you have mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19:

Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is a course of antiviral pills that can be taken at home
Remdesivir must be given through a vein and requires visits to a clinic or hospital

These treatments do not stop you from getting COVID-19. They are used to prevent severe illness in people who are at higher risk from COVID-19.

To be effective, Paxlovid should be taken within 5 days and remdesivir should be taken within 7 days since the start of your symptoms. For safety reasons, these treatments must be prescribed by a health care provider. You may not be able to receive treatment if you are already taking some other medications.

Visit the BCCDC website for more information about COVID-19 treatments.

Who can benefit from treatment

Treatments may be beneficial if you have mild or moderate symptoms that started in the past 5 days and tested positive.

You may be recommended Paxlovid if you are:

Severely or moderately immunocompromised
Over 60 with high-risk conditions

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Severely or moderately immunocompromised

Examples include:

Solid organ transplant
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant
Cancer treatment for solid tumors
Advanced or untreated HIV
Treatments for autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis
Receiving moderate immunosuppressive agents
Treatments for hematological malignancy

Over 60 with high-risk conditions

Examples include:

End-stage kidney disease or on dialysis
Severe or end-stage lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis or are on home oxygen
Diabetes treated with insulin
Neurological conditions requiring breathing assistance
Significant intellectual or developmental disabilities
Rare blood and genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease

How to get treatment

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 and believe you would benefit from treatment, contact your family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist as soon as possible. You aren't guaranteed treatment. Paxlovid and remdesivir treatments are not suitable for everyone and must be prescribed by a health care provider. At any stage, it may be decided that treatment isn't right for you.

B.C. residents must be enrolled in Medical Services Plan (MSP) to get PharmaCare coverage for Paxlovid. Find more information on Paxlovid for B.C. residents.

Don't have a family doctor?

If you don't have a family doctor, nurse practitioner or specialist, or can't get an appointment within 3 days of symptoms starting, you can request treatment through Service BC.

The request process has 4 steps. You must complete each step. Read the instructions carefully and make sure you have all the required information.

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Step 1: Online self-assessment

Estimated time: 15 minutes

To request treatment, you first complete a self-assessment questionnaire.

Complete your self-assessment

Step 2: Confirmation call

Estimated time: 15 minutes

If your self-assessment answers show that you might benefit from treatment, you will be instructed to call Service BC. Over the phone, an agent will:

Ask you to repeat your answers
Confirm that you meet the criteria
Collect more information to send to the health care team

You will need:

Your Personal Health Number (PHN)
A phone number where you can receive calls

The agent will then advise you on the next steps. If you have medical questions, the agent is not trained to answer them. You should wait to ask the medical team during your clinical assessment.

Step 3: Clinical assessment

Estimated time: within 3 days of starting the process

You will receive a phone call from a health care provider between 9 am and 9 pm. They will:

Review your medication and health information
Provide more information about Paxlovid and remdesivir treatments

You should be prepared to discuss:

What medications and supplements you are currently taking
Any medical conditions you have
Any recent medical procedures
Any allergies you have

The medical team will decide whether it is safe for you to receive treatment.

Step 4: Get your treatment

Estimated time: within 5 days of starting the process

If you are prescribed Paxlovid, you will get instructions on how to receive your treatment supply.

If you are prescribed remdesivir, you will be directed to a local health care facility to receive treatment via infusion.

What to do while you wait

While you're waiting for a decision on your treatment, review BCCDC guidance on managing COVID-19 symptoms at home.

If you develop severe symptoms, you should immediately:

Call 911
or
Visit an urgent care clinic or emergency department

Information for people who don't receive a treatment prescription

If you are told that Paxlovid or remdesivir treatment is not right for you, you should:

Follow the self-isolation guidelines
Learn how to manage your COVID-19 symptoms at home
Seek medical attention if your symptoms get worse

A non-profit research study is currently recruiting patients in B.C. For more information, visit CanTreatCOVID.

I need help

Call: 1-888-268-4319Translators are available

Treatments: If you need help to complete the self-assessment or have questions about treatments, press 1 | Monday - Friday: 7 am to 7 pm (closed on December 25 - 26 and January 1)

General information: Monday - Friday: 7 am to 7 pm (closed on December 25 - 26 and January 1)

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The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

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