To complement its COVID-19 testing and vaccine services, Churchill County now offers a treatment option for eligible individuals through its outpatient Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Therapy clinic. Monoclonal antibody treatments have been authorized by the Food & Drug Administration for emergency use to treat high-risk patients who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to fight the virus. In clinical trials, monoclonal antibody treatment showed a 70% reduction in hospitalization and death among high-risk patients.
The therapy is only available to patients whose health care provider recommends the treatment. The patient referral process is similar to other outpatient treatments and requires a physician’s order form. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Monoclonal antibody therapy may be prescribed to non-hospitalized patients 12 years and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The patient must be experiencing mild to moderate symptoms and be at high risk for severe illness and/or hospitalization. Or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
High-risk patients should get treatment as quickly as possible after testing positive for COVID-19 and within 10 days of symptom onset.
Examples of medical conditions that may pose a higher risk for severe illness and could potentially benefit from this treatment include, but are not limited to:
65+ years of age
Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 or greater, or if ages 12-17 have BMI greater than or equal to the 85th percentile for their age and gender
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes
Pregnancy
Immunosuppressive diseases
Currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
Cardiovascular disease (including congenital or acquired heart disease)
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or other chronic respiratory diseases
Sickle cell disease
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy
A medical-related technological dependence such as a tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive pressure ventilation (not related to COVID-19)
Asthma, reactive airway, or another chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.
Patients who are not eligible for mAb treatment include those already hospitalized due to COVID-19 or requiring oxygen therapy due to COVID-19. Anyone on chronic oxygen therapy requiring an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19 is likewise ineligible.
Monoclonal antibody therapy is primarily administered through IV infusion which takes about an hour. The FDA also authorized an injection for certain mAb therapy treatments, including Regeneron. Injections are an alternative route of administration when IV infusion is not feasible and takes about 30 minutes. Both methods require the patient to remain at the clinic for an additional hour for monitoring in case of an adverse reaction to the treatment. Patients should expect to be at the Banner Hospital infusion clinic for up to three hours to allow for check-in time, preparation, treatment, and post-treatment monitoring. Guests are not permitted in the clinic during treatment.
Treatment hours are based on the patient timeframe of eligibility and county health staffing. Once the Churchill County Health Department receives the physician’s referral, it will work with each patient directly on scheduling in the 10-day timeframe from symptom onset. If patients cannot reach their primary care physician, please email the County Health Department at [email protected] or call (775)423-6695, choice 2 to discuss further options.
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