Media advisory: AdventHealth provides monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 infections

August 16, 2021 — With COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations still rising AdventHealth continues to provide monoclonal antibody treatments for eligible patients.

Monoclonal antibodies can reduce the severity of COVID-19 in high-risk patients, helping them to avoid hospitalization or to become intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Since December 2020, AdventHealth has provided more than 3,600 monoclonal antibody treatments in Central Florida to outpatients age 12 or older who tested positive for COVID-19, had mild-to-moderate symptoms for 10 or fewer days, and were at high-risk for progressing to severe COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Cacciatore, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Medical Group and an OB-GYN, shared information about monoclonal antibodies during a recent appearance on the AdventHealth Morning Briefing.

“The idea with monoclonal antibody treatments is to block that [COVID-19] protein, and stop the virus from attaching to your cells so they cannot reproduce,” he said.

Patients must have a physician referral to receive monoclonal antibody treatments at three AdventHealth outpatient clinic locations across Central Florida.:

• Lake County (Tavares)
• Orange County (Orlando)
• Volusia County (Orange City)

AdventHealth has capacity to administer 670 monoclonal antibody treatments each week in Central Florida to help patients recover at home and avoid hospitalization.

At this time, patients must be diagnosed with COVID-19 and not currently hospitalized. To learn more, including the full criteria, click here or call the AdventHealth Coronavirus Information Line at 877-VIRUS-HQ Call877-847-8747).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are monoclonal antibodies?
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight the COVID-19 virus, helping to keep high-risk patients from getting so sick they need to be admitted to the hospital or become intubated in the intensive care unit (ICU).

How do monoclonal antibodies help COVID-19 patients?
Treatment with monoclonal antibodies may:

• Reduce the amount of virus in the body
• Improve symptoms sooner
• Make you less likely to be admitted to a hospital for COVID-19

Who is a candidate for monoclonal antibodies?
This treatment is authorized for outpatients age 12 or older and weighing more than 88 lbs. who have tested positive for COVID-19, had mild-to-moderate symptoms for 10 or fewer days, and are at high-risk for progressing to severe COVID-19. The criteria was recently updated to include almost anyone deemed appropriate by a physician. This includes patients 65 and older, anyone overweight or obese, those with hypertension or diabetes, patients who are pregnant, and many other medical conditions or factors, such as race or ethnicity.

How are monoclonal antibodies administered?

• Monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of COVID-19 are given as a single intravenous infusion.
• AdventHealth’s infusion time is roughly 30 minutes.

Do patients need a physician referral to receive monoclonal antibodies?
Yes, a physician order is required for patients to receive this treatment.

www.AdventHealthOrlandoNews.com