KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — The new COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment is helping reduce the symptoms of patients with the virus, and hospital officials want more people to know about it. Nurses who work closely with COVID-19 patients are happy to see another weapon to fight the virus.
What You Need To Know
Novant Health has administered the drug to more than 3,000 patients
More than 300 people receive the drug weekly across the Novant Health System
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 you have to receive this treatment with 10 days of diagnosis
Frances Lahoz is a registered nurse for Novant Health at the Kernersville Medical Center. She works in the infusion center, where she’s been for the last five years.
As a nurse she says she feels “privileged, the fact that we’re helping people, getting them to not have to come be admitted into the hospital, hospitalized or getting worse,” Lahoz said.
Over the last six weeks Lahoz has been administering the monoclonal antibody infusion to help COVID-19 patients with their symptons.
She says when interacting with the patients it’s an emotional time.
“Fear in their faces — they're scared, they’re sick, vulnerable, full of questions. It's something that is still the unknown for them,” Lahoz said.
The monoclonal antibodies work with your immune system to fight off the virus and to help prevent hospitalizations. The infusion is a 20-minute process with an hour observation wait time.
“I also do see hope in them, like OK, you know this is something that is going to help. Then with all of us as a team reassuring them from the first contact we have with them ... reassuring them they are doing the right thing,” Lahoz said.
If you meet the criteria to get the drug, you’ll have to receive the treatment within 10 days of being diagnosed with COVID-19.
“Just really glad that they came for this service," Lahoz said. "It's one more step in improving our health status in our community, and it just makes me happy that they are here seeking and willing to get this.”
Novant Health has given out more than 3,000 monoclonal antibody treatments over the last six weeks. Adults who are considered high risk for severe COVID-19 are eligible for the treatment.
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and interested in this treatment, contact your doctor to find out if you qualify.