Monoclonal antibody community-based treatment sites open
Published 4:23 pm Thursday, October 21, 2021
- (Metro Creative Services)
The Louisiana Department of Health is now operating 17 federally supported monoclonal antibody therapy treatment sites across the state. Each site is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an ability to serve more than 150 patients daily per site.
In Southwest Louisiana, the treatment sites are located at the DeQuincy Ball Fields, 97 Bond Road, DeQuincy; Burton Coliseum, 7001 Gulf Highway, Lake Charles; and Byrd Regional Hospital at Deer Creek, 810 S. 10th St., Leesville.
Monoclonal antibodies are man-made antibodies produced in a laboratory that can mimic the human immune system response to infection. mAbs are designed to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus that causes COVID-19.
Patients need to be referred by their doctor or other healthcare provider to a facility that offers mAb therapy such as a hospital or an infusion center. Those without a provider can be referred by an urgent care, community clinic, emergency department, hospitalist, etc.
Patients with a positive COVID-19 viral test should speak with their healthcare provider to determine whether they are eligible for mAb treatment and to discuss potential benefits and side effects.
Monoclonal antibody treatments may be used for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are within 10 days of the start of their symptoms, at least 12 years of age or older and weigh at least 88 pounds, and are at a high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.
