As the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 6,631 new COVID-19 cases in the state on Friday, the department also confirmed the use of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID-19 increased “by 18-fold since late June from 100 administrations for the week of June 23 to 1,874 for the week of Aug. 11.”Statewide, there are more than 130 sites offering monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 as this treatment can decrease the likelihood of hospitalization related to COVID-19. “Monoclonal antibody therapy is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. However, it can reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and decrease the likelihood of hospitalization, especially in high-risk patients. If you test positive for COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy must be administered within 10 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms, so it is crucial to get tested early,” a news release said.The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization to allow the use of monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in certain high-risk patients. Additionally, the FDA authorized this treatment for use in some patients who are exposed to COVID-19 even if they do not have symptoms. People who are not fully vaccinated or who have immunocompromising conditions, including those taking immunosuppressive medications, and have either been exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk of exposure due to where they live or work may qualify for preventative treatment.Health officials continue to urge that vaccines are the best protection from COVID-19 related hospitalization and death, as well as complications from the virus. “The vast majority of people in the hospital or dying with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Research has shown even people who had a mild case of COVID-19 may struggle with long-term effects like shortness of breath, chest pain and brain fog,” NCDHHS said Friday.The highly-contagious delta variant continues to spread across the state and Piedmont Triad. During the first three days of school, Davidson County Schools excluded 118 students who were identified as close contacts to individuals who were confirmed positive for COVID-19. The 118 students are from 11 different DCS facilities. “Every situation can be different, but generally the situation involves an individual discovering that they have the virus after having been to school. We then have to find the people who were within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period during the 48 hours prior to the positive individual being confirmed positive,” a district spokesperson said Friday.Along with the 6,631 new cases, NCDHHS reported an 11.9% daily positivity rate. Right now, 3,147 people are in the state’s hospitals fighting COVID-19. To date, there have been 14,059 deaths from COVID-19 in the state.Vaccination numbers remain stagnant with 64% of the state’s adult population being vaccinated with at least one dose. Fifty-nine percent of the adult population is considered to be fully vaccinated.
As the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 6,631 new COVID-19 cases in the state on Friday, the department also confirmed the use of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of COVID-19 increased “by 18-fold since late June from 100 administrations for the week of June 23 to 1,874 for the week of Aug. 11.”
Statewide, there are more than 130 sites offering monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 as this treatment can decrease the likelihood of hospitalization related to COVID-19.
“Monoclonal antibody therapy is not a substitute for vaccination against COVID-19. However, it can reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and decrease the likelihood of hospitalization, especially in high-risk patients. If you test positive for COVID-19, monoclonal antibody therapy must be administered within 10 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms, so it is crucial to get tested early,” a news release said.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization to allow the use of monoclonal antibody therapies for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in certain high-risk patients. Additionally, the FDA authorized this treatment for use in some patients who are exposed to COVID-19 even if they do not have symptoms. People who are not fully vaccinated or who have immunocompromising conditions, including those taking immunosuppressive medications, and have either been exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk of exposure due to where they live or work may qualify for preventative treatment.
Health officials continue to urge that vaccines are the best protection from COVID-19 related hospitalization and death, as well as complications from the virus.
“The vast majority of people in the hospital or dying with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Research has shown even people who had a mild case of COVID-19 may struggle with long-term effects like shortness of breath, chest pain and brain fog,” NCDHHS said Friday.
The highly-contagious delta variant continues to spread across the state and Piedmont Triad. During the first three days of school, Davidson County Schools excluded 118 students who were identified as close contacts to individuals who were confirmed positive for COVID-19.
The 118 students are from 11 different DCS facilities.
“Every situation can be different, but generally the situation involves an individual discovering that they have the virus after having been to school. We then have to find the people who were within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period during the 48 hours prior to the positive individual being confirmed positive,” a district spokesperson said Friday.
Along with the 6,631 new cases, NCDHHS reported an 11.9% daily positivity rate. Right now, 3,147 people are in the state’s hospitals fighting COVID-19. To date, there have been 14,059 deaths from COVID-19 in the state.
Vaccination numbers remain stagnant with 64% of the state’s adult population being vaccinated with at least one dose. Fifty-nine percent of the adult population is considered to be fully vaccinated.
