Governor Ron DeSantis has increased the availability of monoclonal antibody therapies across Florida, including a new monoclonal antibody therapy treatment site in Orlando at Camping World Stadium. This location has the capacity to serve more than 300 patients per day and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health continue to encourage Floridians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find out where the vaccine is offered HERE.
“Early monoclonal antibody treatment keeps people out of the hospital and saves lives,” said Governor DeSantis. “We look forward to continuing to open these sites throughout the state and hope awareness about the treatment continues to spread.”
Additionally, monoclonal antibody strike teams are being developed to bring treatment directly to Florida’s vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities. Rather than having nursing home residents leave the facility to receive monoclonal antibody therapy, these teams will deploy to them to provide treatment.
“The Division of Emergency Management is proud to join Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Health to secure access to the monoclonal antibody treatment throughout the state for Floridians,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we are committed to working alongside DOH as we continue to identify and deploy all available resources for the treatment of COVID-19 to local governments and hospitals.”
“These monoclonal antibody therapy sites will expand access to proven effective COVID-19 treatment,” said FDEM Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth Scheppke. “The treatment reduces severe illness, hospitalization and death risk by 70%, and reduces the odds of household contacts developing COVID-19 by 82%. Monoclonal antibody therapy helps prevent the COVID-19 virus from attaching to human cells, and is effective against variants of concern, including the Delta variant. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for his continued dedication to innovative and multi-faceted solutions as we have responded to COVID-19.”
Monoclonal antibody treatments can be prescribed by health care providers to individuals 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization. The antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus.
“The monoclonal antibody treatment can be a game changer if you get it early,” said Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration Simone Marstiller.
According to the treatment guidelines, they should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis, and within 10 days of symptom onset. By providing access to these treatments at these new sites, Governor DeSantis is alleviating demand on hospital resources and further making sure that Floridians have access to all potential treatments that can help them recover from COVID-19.
To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, please visit floridahealthcovid19.gov.
