A Charlotte-area, N.C. hospital system is part of a national effort to get monoclonal antibody treatments, which can treat COVID-19, out into underserved and disadvantaged communities. 

 

What You Need to Know 

Some hospitals in North Carolina are offering monoclonal antibody treatments to help fight COVID-19 symptoms 

Monoclonal antibodies have been successful in keeping people from getting the most severe coronavirus symptoms 

The treatment is given through a shot or infusion that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to complete

 

Atrium Health is the first hospital group in North Carolina to join the federal effort, which was announced in May, though other hospitals in the state are also offering the treatment.

Monoclonal antibodies have been successful in keeping people from getting the most severe coronavirus symptoms, but it has to be given within 10 days of showing symptoms, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. But, the sooner someone gets the treatment, the better it could work.

“As delta variant cases continue to rise in North Carolina, this treatment option offers a solution to help care for COVID-positive patients while also preventing the spread of the virus, although vaccination is still the best way to curb further spread of COVID-19,” Atrium’s Dr. Lisa Davidson said in a statement.

The number of patients getting monoclonal antibodies to treat the coronavirus has jumped over the summer, from 100 treatments a week in late June to 1,874 for one week in mid-August, according to DHHS.

As of last week, there were more than 130 sites in North Carolina offering the treatment, DHHS said.

Patients who get the treatment, also known as mAb, are less likely to get severe symptoms and end up in the hospital.

“Monoclonal antibody therapy is another tool to help save lives and preserve hospital capacity in your local community,” State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Tilson said. “Of course, vaccines remain the best protection from COVID-19 related hospitalization and death and in addition to saving lives and hospital capacity, they are also our fastest way to end this pandemic.”

The federal government is paying for the treatments, but hospitals may charge some fees. Most insurance companies and Medicare are covering all costs for the treatment, according to DHHS.

In March, the Biden administration announced a $150 million initiative to help get the treatments out to underserved and underrepresented areas.

Other big hospital systems in North Carolina, including UNC Health, Duke and Novant Health, are also giving the treatment for COVID-19 patients.

“Novant Health began administering monoclonal antibody treatment to COVID-19 patients in December 2020. Since then, we have administered these drugs to over 700 patients at infusion centers in Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Salisbury, and our Coastal Market,” a Novant spokesman said Thursday.

Who can get the treatment

The treatment must be given within 10 days of the first symptoms, but the earlier someone gets the infusion, the better, according to DHHS.

Different hospitals can have slightly different criteria for giving the antibodies. Generally, the treatment is reserved for adults at high risk of developing severe symptoms.

High-risk means adults who are older, obese, pregnant, have a kidney disorder, diabetic or have a lung condition like COPD, state public health officials say.

The treatment is not available for children under 12. For 12 to 17-year-olds, they must weigh at least 88 pounds and have factors that put them at high risk, according to DHHS.

People who are already hospitalized with COVID-19 or already have to get oxygen therapy because of the virus cannot get the treatment.   

How does the treatment work?

The treatment is given through a shot or infusion that can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour to complete.

The antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that help fight the infection, according to DHHS.

“Some early evidence suggests this treatment can reduce the amount of the virus, or viral load, that causes COVID-19 in a person's body. Having a lower viral load may reduce the severity of symptoms and decrease the likelihood of hospitalization,” DHHS said.

Clinical trials show the antibody therapy could reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by at least 70%, according to Atrium.