For Immediate Release

09/23/2021    

COVID-19 Information

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVID-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Vaccine Information

Website: www.rowancountync.gov/COVIDvaccine
Follow Us: www.facebook.com/rowancountyhealth 

Rowan County COVID-19 Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Using Monoclonal Antibodies to Treat COVID-19

While vaccines provide the best protection from COVID-19, treatment options such as Monoclonal Antibodies are also available if you have had symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days or less or have been exposed to COVID-19. If taken early enough, they can reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and possibly death. Ask your doctor about Monoclonal Antibodies or call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish). 

Your body naturally makes antibodies to fight against infections. However, your body may not have antibodies designed to recognize a new virus like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to allow the use of monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in certain high-risk patients. All high-risk adults and high-risk youth ages 12-17 who weigh at least 88 pounds may be eligible for treatment. 

Monoclonal antibodies, or mAbs, are made in a laboratory to fight a particular infection—in this case, the virus that causes COVID-19—and are given to patients directly with an infusion or a shot. Evidence has found that through the use of this infusion, patients who are at a higher risk for severe symptoms or hospitalization may actually have a reduced amount of the virus, or viral load, that causes COVID-19. By having a lower viral load, it may mean that you will have milder symptoms, which decreases your likelihood of hospitalization. This treatment also been found to help people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who have had symptoms for 10 days or less.

Additionally, the FDA has authorized the REGEN-COV (Casirivimab + Imdevimab) mAb product for use in some patients who are exposed to COVID-19, even if they are not showing symptoms. People who are not fully vaccinated or who have immunocompromising conditions, including those taking immunosuppressive medications, and have either been exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk of exposure due to where they live or work, may qualify for this preventative treatment. Please note, however, this treatment is not a substitute for a vaccination against COVID-19.

For more information on monoclonal antibodies, please contact your local physician. At that time, he or she may decide to refer you Novant Health Rowan Medical Center where they are currently offering monoclonal outpatient infusions by appointment. Also for more information and resources on COVID-19, please feel free to visit Novant Health’s website. 

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PIO Contact:
Amy Smith
704-216-8859
amy.smith@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - September 23, 2021 (PDF)