Life-saving therapy available for groups at high risk of COVID-19 in Bexar County

SAINT ANTHONY – Experts say people in groups at high risk of developing complications from COVID-19 infection should quickly talk to their doctor about infusion therapy after learning they are COVID-19 positive .

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said his latest test shows he is now negative for COVID-19 a week after testing positive. The governor received Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment promptly after testing positive.

The therapy has emergency use authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, single-dose outpatient treatment is administered through a vein to the immune system of a person mildly infected with COVID-19 before symptoms become life-threatening.

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In early August, Bexar County opened the regional infusion center at the Freeman Coliseum. According to the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, people at high risk include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Over 65s

• BMI over 25

• Pregnancy

• Chronic kidney disease

• Diabetes

• Illness or immunosuppressive therapy

• Heart disease or high blood pressure

• Sickle cell anemia

• Cerebral palsy

• Have a technological dependence related to medicine, such as a tracheostomy

More than 850 people have already received therapy in Bexar County in less than two weeks. Patients need to be referred by a doctor, but those who do not have a primary care physician can call the centre’s hotline for testing. Patients do not need to have insurance to receive the free service, and it can also be done at home.

Treatment must be done soon after a patient has tested positive and exhibits symptoms for it to be effective. The monoclonal antibody infusion hotline number is 1-800-742-5990. For reference information, click here.