Quincy Reporter

Blessing Health System issued the following announcement on Jan. 29. 

The COVID Infusion Center, located inside the Blessing Walk-In Clinic, is delivering an outpatient treatment that is reducing hospitalizations and decreasing symptoms among patients diagnosed with COVID-19.

More than 250 patients have received the monoclonal antibody therapy since it was first offered in early December. Connie Vermeire, Director of BPS Specialty Services, says the results have exceeded her expectations.

“I believe with my whole heart the treatment is doing what it was created to do by keeping people out of the hospital,” she stated.

Antibody therapy works by preventing the virus that causes COVID-19 from entering cells in the body. The onetime intravenous (IV) therapy takes approximately one hour to complete and requires an additional hour of observation following infusion. In order to receive the IV therapy patients must test positive for COVID-19, be within 10 days of symptom onset, and meet additional criteria outlined at right.

Those who require supplemental oxygen or are hospitalized are not eligible for the treatment. The COVID Infusion Center located inside the Walk in Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to Noon. A physician referral is not required, but patients who meet criteria are required to call the Blessing Health System COVID-19 Hotline at (217) 277-3504 regarding the treatment, the consent process, and scheduling. Employees who have questions about the antibody therapy can call (217) 214-9691.

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Criteria

• Confirmed COVID diagnosis

• Within 10 days of symptom onset

• Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35

• 65 years of age or older

• Chronic kidney disease

• Diabetes

• Immunosuppressive disease

• 55 years of age or older AND high blood pressure, or heart disease, or severe lung disease

• 12-17 years of age and are significantly overweight or have certain chronic illnesses including sickle cell disease or asthma Patients who are hospitalized or require supplemental oxygen are not eligible

Original source can be found here.