Wellstar expanding availability of COVID antibody treatment
Oct. 28—Wellstar is partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment, the healthcare system announced Thursday.
Wellstar's Cherokee Health Park, north of Woodstock, will be the first location for the initiative beginning Friday.
Monoclonal antibody treatment is a treatment administered to high-risk COVID-19 patients which has been shown in some trials to significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. The treatment boosts the immune response to COVID-19, and was granted emergency use authorization by the federal government last year.
The treatment will be offered to high risk COVID-19 patients regardless of their immigration status, ability to pay, or health insurance coverage, Wellstar said in a news release.
"Our ability to meet the demand for COVID-19 treatment is a critical step in combatting the pandemic and this partnership supports our mission of enhancing the health and well-being of the communities we serve," said Snehal Doshi, Wellstar's senior vice president of ancillary and support services. "Being able to offer this treatment to more patients provides hope, recovery, and vital access to COVID-19 healthcare options."
