Newly infected 

The challenge is getting tested, obtaining a prescription and starting the pills in a short window.

U.S. regulators authorized  pill,  and Merck’s  late last year. Antiviral pills aren’t for everyone who gets a positive test

As cases of severe liver disease “of unknown origin” among children in Canada rise, public health officials have initiated investigation 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 169 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported in nearly a dozen countries, with 114 from the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the European  for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has claimed an even higher estimate of nearly 200 cases in children around the world reported on Tuesday

  Pills were  for adults, while also is authorized for children ages 12 and older.

 SHOULDN'T TAKE THESE PILLS?

Merck’s is not authorized for children because it might interfere with bone growth. 

Pfizer's pill isn't recommended for patients with severe kidney or liver problem. 

The antiviral pills aren't authorized for people hospitalized with COVID-19.“If you wait until you have started to get breathless, you have already to a large extent missed the window where these drugs will be helpful,” Wolfe said

WHERE CAN YOU GET THE PILLS?

Pharmacies, community health centers, hospitals and urgent care centers are among the sites stocking the antiviral pills, but prescriptions must come from a doctor or other authorized health worker

The oral treatments are currently available in about 20,000 locations around the country, but President Joe Biden's administration expects that total to jump to around 40,000 in the next 

The administration also is working to expand the number of sites that can test patients and then provide the treatments in one visit.  

Supplies of the pills were limited initially, but ample amounts are now available.

ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS FOR NEW COVID-19 PATIENTS?

Yes, but it isn’t as easy to use as a pill.

In February, the Food and Drug Administration authorized a new injected drug from Eli Lilly,  that targets the  variant with virus-fighting antibodies.

Earlier this year, regulators revoked emergency use authorization for another Lilly treatment and drugs from Regeneron and GlaxoSmithKline because they were no longer effective against the evolving virus OTHER TREATMENTS MIGHT BE COMING?

 Antiviral pill.

Unlike Paxlovid, the company’s drug does not require taking a second antiviral to boost its effectiveness against COVID-19. That could reduce  potential drug interaction problems associated with the combination.

The drug is also designed to be taken once daily for five day. That’s simpler than dosing, which must be taken twice daily for five day.

In mid-stage said its drug significantly reduced COVID-19 viral levels and shedding in patients treated within five days of symptom.  Early results from that study — which is being funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health — are expected by the fall.