COVID-19 Care and Treatment

Most people with mild symptoms and no underlying health conditions can recover at home, as they would with the flu or a cold.

For those who are at high risk of complications or hospitalization from COVID-19, we offer care through our COVID-19 Telemedicine Clinic. However, because of the recent surge in COVID-19 and limited supply of medications, we are temporarily reserving appointment times and the following therapies for those who are most likely to become seriously ill.

COVID-19 Therapies for High-Risk Patients

For high-risk patients recently diagnosed with COVID-19 (within five to seven days of onset of symptoms), there are some potential therapies:

• Monoclonal antibody infusion: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are lab-produced proteins that function like antibodies naturally generated by the human immune system to fight infection. Monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19, designed to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is administered by IV infusion. The antibodies protect people against severe illness if they’re given within a week after COVID-19 symptoms first appear.
  But supplies are extremely limited. We offer monoclonal antibody infusion only to our eligible patients who have a high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. This includes sotrovimab for the omicron variant. (For treatment information, see COVID-19 Telemedicine Clinic)
  
• Oral antiviral drugs: Antiviral medications like Paxlovid and Molnupiravir, given within five days of symptoms appearing, can help prevent severe illness from COVID-19. UC San Diego Health has not received any supplies of these prescription drugs yet.
  

COVID-19 Prevention for Immunocompromised Patients

A long-acting monoclonal antibody drug called Evusheld can help prevent COVID-19 infection in individuals who are severely immunocompromised. The preventive drug is delivered by intramuscular injections.

However, supplies are extremely limited. We are providing this therapy only to our severely immunocompromised patients, based on guidance from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We’ll continue our efforts to improve access to Evusheld, but expect to prioritize its use to our highest-risk patient group for a while until supplies improve. We’ll update this page when there’s new information.

Care for Long-Term Complications After COVID-19 Infection

If you have long-term chronic problems from COVID-19, you can get help from our Post-COVID Care clinic for your recovery.

COVID-19 Resources

To prevent getting COVID-19, get vaccinated, wash your hands frequently, wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and avoid crowded places.

• Info for patients and visitors: Learn more about our COVID-19 services.
  
• Appointments: If you have questions about an upcoming appointment at UC San Diego Health, please call your doctor’s office.
• General questions: If you have general questions about UC San Diego Health and the pandemic, please call our Patient Experience team at 619-543-5678.

You can also find more information about COVID-19 from these websites:

• CDC / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• San Diego County Public Health Services
• California Department of Public Health