Those who have already been tested elsewhere can go to the designated pharmacies with their positive test results and get the oral antiviral medication if the provider on-site recommends it.

The medications that are available include Pfizer’s Paxlovid pill, which can be given to everyone 12 and older weighing at least 88 pounds; and Merck’s Molnupiravir, which can only be given to adults 18 and older and isn’t recommended for use during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration has issued emergency use authorizations for both these medicines.

Treatment is best given as soon as possible and must begin within five days of symptoms. Because most therapeutics are in limited supply, they’re meant for people who are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death.

Residents who want these medications or have questions on which treatment is right for them should contact their medical provider or call the L.A. County COVID-19 information line at 833-540-0473, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. daily. The call center is a free resource where residents can get culturally and linguistically appropriate information about available therapeutics and how to access them. Residents can also visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/medication/ to find available therapeutics near them.

To date, LACDPH has distributed 20,960 doses of Paxlovid, 39,764 doses of Molnupiravir, and 13,584 doses of Evusheld, with 73% of Paxlovid doses, 82% of Molnupiravir doses, and 66% of Evusheld allocated to residents in the most under-resourced communities in the county.

LACDPH also issued a reminder that while therapeutics are a powerful tool to combat COVID-19, they are not a substitute for vaccinations. Being fully vaccinated and boosted continues to offer the strongest layer of protection for residents, especially if the county may encounter new variants or another surge. Signing up to receive a vaccine is easy and free.

In Manhattan Beach, case counts have been relatively low. For the week of March 6 and March 12, there were only 22 new cases. Additionally, 92.6% of Manhattan Beach's eligible population has been vaccinated.