Health official fear testing influx could cause crucial delay in life-saving pills

4 January 2022, 9:32 pm

Edit

Health Ministry officials fear the pressure on the country’s testing system could lead to slow results for at-risk individuals who could benefit from taking anti-COVID pill Paxlovid, Channel 12 reports.

Israel has started distributing the pills in recent days to patients who are at greater risk from the disease, as it is believed to be highly effective at preventing serious illness. But the pill must be taken within the first five days of symptoms appearing in order to be effective.

According to Channel 12, with results now taking up to two days amid a huge influx of cases, officials are now trying to prioritize people over 60 for test results, fearing they could miss the pill window.