Delta Health System-The Medical Center COVID-19 News

The Delta Health System-The Medical Center COVID-19 team reported that the hospital has been providing monoclonal antibody infusion treatments with much success. COVID-19 patients that do not require hospitalization are treated as an outpatient reducing the risk of more severe symptoms. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful antigens such as viruses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) of the prescribed method for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients.

For Positive COVID-19 patients, The Medical Center criteria for receiving the monoclonal antibody infusion treatments is as follows:

• BMI>35
• Age 65 or older
• Diabetic patient
• Patients age 55 or older that have the following diagnosis: Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease or COPD
• Severe renal failure
• Diseases of the immune system or patients on immunosuppressive treatments

As of December 14, 2020, The Medical Center has provided over 130 patients with the antibody infusion. Patients that are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should visit their primary care provider to be tested. Providers will evaluate patients to see if they meet criteria to be referred to The Medical Center.