Jason Delgado
Alongside a trio of doctors, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday promoted the use of monoclonal antibodies as an effective treatment against COVID-19.
Speaking at Tampa General Hospital, DeSantis touted the treatment as a proven means to reduce the perils of COVID-19 to a “flu-level risk.”
Dr. Kami Kim is the director of Infectious Disease and Internal Medicine at the University of South Florida. The treatment, she explained, involves injecting laboratory-created antibodies into an infected patient’s system.
Tampa General Hospital was among the first in the state to deploy the treatment last year. Since then, more than 1,600 have been treated with the antibodies.
Kim said new data suggests monoclonal antibodies may also prevent COVID-19 infection in people who may have been exposed to the virus. The treatment, she added, can essentially “neutralize the virus.”
“It’s particularly useful for people who need a little help with their immune system,” Kim said, later adding, “but now what we found with over six months of experience is these treatments are very effective in pretty much everybody.”
The Governor’s press conference comes as COVID-19 cases surge across the state.
On Wednesday, the state reported 16,935 new cases and 140 COVID-19 related deaths.
“This is our COVID season,” DeSantis said of the summer surge. “We thought we would see an increase. I don’t know that we thought we would necessarily see this many positive tests and some of the hospital admissions.”
Despite the uptick, Tampa General CEO John Couris said his hospital remains safe and open to the public.
“Please, if you’re listening to this, do not delay care,” Couris said repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Dr. Charlie Lockwood of Tampa General Hospital maintained that vaccinations remain the best method of protection against COVID-19.
Lockwood is the dean of the Masonic College of Medicine at USF Health.
Cases among the vaccinated, he explained, are primarily among elderly patients and those with comorbidities.
“f you’ve been vaccinated, this COVID surge — this fourth surge — is the equivalent of an influenza season,” Lockwood said. “So that’s why you need to be vaccinated.”
Nearly 70% of Floridians have received at least one vaccine dose as of Thursday, according to the New York Times.
8 comments
Sonja Fitch
August 6, 2021 at 8:17 am
So Duffus Desantis have you provided Doctors and hospital the necessary supplies to safely give to the sick in the ICU. Bet not! Duffus Desantis will say and do whatever it takes to keep HIM in the news.
Yo Duffus Desantis did you go to the fake ass cabinet meeting with the former president? Duffus Desantis what are you willing to do to please the former president ? You willing to be a traitor? Time will tell. September 12?
Ed
August 16, 2021 at 9:27 am
Imagine going through life this stupid?
LB
August 6, 2021 at 12:55 pm
Dr. Lockwood is the dean of the Morsani College of Medicine, not Masonic College.
Matthew Lusk
August 6, 2021 at 1:21 pm
Ivermectin is a good treatment and only cost Two bucks a dose from tractor supply store. Big pharma hates ivermectin.
Selwyn Gossett
August 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm
Ivermectin is a horse de-wormer and anti-parasitic. There is no proof it does anything for COVID. This type of post is worse than useless.
christina angelou
August 10, 2021 at 7:02 pm
glad a friend told me about this site
christina angelou
August 10, 2021 at 7:03 pm
glad I found this info
Jeanie Eastwood
August 17, 2021 at 12:08 am
I have not been offered this news to me treatment vaccines. Why not? I am of the 3%, and I am never told about this nor had it offered to me. Why is that? Have I been in a cave so everyone but me knows about this kind of vaccine?? I’d have definitely gotten that vaccine.
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