Treatment for COVID-19

What are the Treatment Options When You Have COVID-19?

Most patients who test positive will not require hospitalization and can recover at home.

Patients who do need inpatient care will receive care in isolation once admitted to a hospital. Multiple areas within Baystate Health are prepared to provide safe treatment for COVID-19 and help prevent spread of the virus.

There are also outpatient treatment options. Current treatment options, based on clinical studies and Emergency Authorization Use or Expanded Access approvals from the FDA, include both IV and oral treatment options. At this time, the recommended treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19 is oral therapy/Paxlovid, which can be readily prescribed. Find out if you are eligible for Paxlovid.

Refer a Patient for Treatment

Outpatient COVID-19 Treatments

Baystate Health, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, has established a COVID-19 Treatment Center to provide our communities in western Massachusetts the latest COVID-19 therapy. The goal is to deliver strategic, accessible and up-to-date treatment for mild-moderate COVID-19 following the FDA emergency use authorization guidelines and labeled indications of the available agents.

Oral Therapy

As part of the overall COVID-19 treatment distribution strategy, prescriptions can be provided to patients who quality for treatment with Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir with ritonavir). This oral antiviral therapy is now readily available with a prescription and continues to be the preferred treatment for mild to moderate COVID-19.

Infusion Therapy

Our COVID-19 Infusion Clinic, located at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield, provides Remdesivir (antiviral) for patients who meet eligibility criteria. The clinic is open 5 days a week and can treat up to 32 patients per day.

Health insurance is not a requirement to be treated. For questions, call 413-795-0566.

What to Do If You're Sick

Call Your Provider

Call your provider if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or possible exposure. Medical staff can help to make decisions about whether, when, and where you should be evaluated. This will avoid spreading the virus further to people in waiting rooms and other areas at these locations.

In a medical emergency, it is still important to call 9-1-1 and go to the emergency room.

Get Tested

If you have symptoms or exposure to COVID-19, you should get tested. Learn how and where to get tested.

When should you seek emergency medical attention?

According to the CDC, if you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 you should get medical attention immediately:

Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face

*This list does not include all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

How to Care for COVID-19 At Home

Home Remedies for Respiratory Symptoms

Take pain and fever medications.

(Caution: do not give aspirin to children and be aware of allergies to medicines)

For adults: Ibuprofen 600mg every 6 hours / Not to exceed 3200mg/24 hours Take with food if possible
Acetaminophen 1000mg every 4 hours/ Not to exceed 4000mg/24 hours

For children: Ask your provider for dosing.

Get plenty of rest.

Use a clean humidifier, cool mist vaporizer, or saline nose drops to relieve a stuffy nose.

Take a hot shower to help ease a sore throat and cough.

Drink plenty of liquids.

Stay home and rest.

If you're concerned about your symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

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Prevent the spread of your illness

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay home and rest.
Separate yourself from other people
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Monitor your symptoms

Learn more about protecting yourself and others.

Learn what to do when someone in your house is sick

The CDC recommends the following actions if someone in your house is sick:

Keep separate bedroom and bathroom for sick person (if possible)
If shared bathroom: Clean and disinfect after each use by the sick person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as possible before cleaning and disinfecting.
Stay separated for meals: The sick person should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.
Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any non-disposable used food service items with gloves and wash with hot water or in a dishwasher.
Clean hands after handling used food service items.
Use a dedicated, lined trashcan: If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the sick person. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

Learn more on the CDC website.