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There is a free treatment available in San Diego County that can significantly minimize the severity of COVID-19, and even prevent death, but not enough people are taking advantage of it, officials say.
Drugs containing coronavirus monoclonal antibodies have increasingly shown an ability to pick off the pathogen before it gets the chance to cause critical cases of COVID-19.
The county health department, which opened a free monoclonal clinic in Chula Vista one of the hardest-hit cities in the state on April 19 in cooperation with the state and San Ysidro Health, had treated only 49 patients in the past month, fewer than was expected given that a similar arrangement that opened in February in Escondido has dosed 247.
Local groups work with county initiative in hard-hit areas
This is the second center of its kind in the county; the first one opened in February at the Palomar Medical Center Downtown in Escondido. Since then, it has served nearly 200 people, county officials said.
The opening was made possible after a collaboration between San Diego County and San Ysidro Health with federal, state and community partners.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of combination monoclonal antibody therapies to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients.
It consists of laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight viruses, officials explained. It is administered as a single dose intravenously; the entire process could last up to an hour.
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San Diego County needs volunteers to help vaccinate
and last updated 2021-01-14 14:52:26-05
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) â The county is in desperate need of volunteers to administer the vaccine. If you have a background in healthcare like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, you may be able to help.
The county vaccination super station opened at Petco Park this week. Right now, the site is vaccinating about 4,000 people per day. Theyâre hoping to get that number up to 5,000 by the end of the week.
With many health professionals already working overtime at hospitals, the county says there are not enough people to administer vaccines.