As COVID-19 cases continue to soar in Butler County, a new pill being distributed through the Pennsylvania Department of Health will treat patients with the disease, rather than prevent initial infection.

Butler County added 1,194 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the weekend, according to the state Department of Health. Butler Memorial Hospital reported Monday it has 57 inpatients with COVID-19, with seven in the intensive care unit.

As of now, Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's Molnupiravir pills can be prescribed only by a doctor, but Dr. Ryan Bariola, an infectious diseases physician at UPMC, said they are another option in combating the individual effects of COVID-19.

“These medications, especially the Paxlovid if it's truly 85% effective, I think that's a very strong weapon against the virus,” Bariola said Monday. “They can easily take the pill, it's convenient for patients.”

While the Department of Health is distributing the pills for free to pharmacies in every county, only the Giant Eagle at 1521 N. Main St. in Butler has Paxlovid, and it and the Rite Aid at 221 Grove City Road in Slippery Rock are the only pharmacies that have Molnupiravir in Butler County, according to the department.

A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive. To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe at butlereagle.com.