San Juan Regional Medical Center continues to offer Monoclonal Antibody infusions for nonhospitalized patients with confirmed mild to moderate coronavirus infection within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. However, the infusion clinic is being moved from the main hospital to San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine, 656 West Maple St., Tuesday.
In order to be considered for monoclonal antibody therapy, which could help reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations, certain criteria must be met.
The confirmed COVID-positive patient must be within 10 days of onset of symptoms, does not require hospitalization or new or increased oxygen requirements and must be high risk for developing severe COVID-19 symptoms or the need for hospitalization.
In addition, those ages 18-54 must have at least one of the following:
BMI greater than or equal to 35.Chronic kidney disease.Diabetes.Immunosuppressive disease, or receiving immunosuppressive therapy.Those ages 55-64 must have any one of the following:
BMI greater than or equal to 35.Chronic kidney disease.Diabetes.Immunosuppressive disease, or receiving immunosuppressive therapy.Cardiovascular disease.Hypertension.COPD and/or other chronic respiratory disease.Those aged 65 and older do not need to meet any additional risk factors.
San Juan Regional Medical Center is offering Bamlanivimab/Etesevimab to treat patients who qualify. Those who have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and may be a candidate should notify their primary care provider immediately to discuss qualification for this treatment.
Infusions are given intravenously and the entire process takes about three hours. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
