Monoclonal antibodies have become a more common remedy for those who have tested positive for Covid and who could become vulnerable to some of its more severe symptoms. But where you can receive that treatment has been limited to hospitals and doctors' offices.
The antibodies are administered in a dose just under the skin. And since May, they’ve also been allowed through an intervenous injection.
“We are working with the state, really urging an expansion of the kinds of providers that can give monoclonal antibodies, pharmacies, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient facilities, so it’s not so reliant on hospital ERs. We’re having a lot of people arrive at hospital ERs, seeking monoclonal antibodies and we would like that treatment to be happening someplace else because the hospitals are so full," said Cassie Sauer, the CEO of the Washington State Hospital Association.
Peg Currie, the chief operating officer for Providence Health Care in eastern Washington, says that would help relieve pressure on hospitals.
“It’s not something that’s going to answer this whole epidemic, but it’s something that might help us through this current surge. It’s very scary and we’re starting to administer this to our shelter communities as well so the spread is contained with our homeless population," she said.
Monoclonal antibodies are approved for people deemed most likely to develop severe Covid symptoms, for people 65 and older and those with certain medical conditions.