COVID-19 testing and treatments

Publication date: July 10, 2025

Get information about COVID-19 and flu immunizations to protest yourself and your community this respiratory illness season.

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

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.

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 call 8-1-1.

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

I need help

Call: 8-1-1 Translators are available

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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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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