CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Gov. Henry McMaster and DHEC Director Edward Simmer are encouraging the use of monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19 treatment.

Condition officials say the steerage arrives adhering to the increase of COVID-19 instances in the condition and the ongoing risk of the Delta variant.

In a assertion unveiled on Friday, point out govt and health officials claimed they are encouraging people to learn extra about the use and availability of monoclonal antibodies which is a remedy verified to be successful in staving off major ailment from COVID-19.

In accordance to point out officials, the treatment is out there at in excess of 50 health care suppliers throughout the condition.

“Beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most powerful way to guard ourselves and our beloved kinds from COVID-19 is to make the final decision to get vaccinated,” mentioned Gov. Henry McMaster. “We’ve also witnessed that the use of these antibody treatments can considerably minimize the threat of hospitalization and serious sickness in those people who test optimistic. These remedies are now obtainable at about 50 healthcare companies across the point out, and we’re working to broaden obtain to them each day. We continue to strongly persuade South Carolinians to teach by themselves about all of their choices and chat to their physician about what’s very best for them.”

“DHEC tips on COVID-19 vaccinations and masking have not modified: we continue to urge the use of the two and imagine they are the finest techniques to get us out of this pandemic,” said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director. “That reported, it is important that South Carolinians know about all readily available methods to keep them harmless. Monoclonal antibodies are safe and powerful, and our state has various areas the place inhabitants can get them.”

Monoclonal antibodies are a sort of treatment medical doctors have been using for COVID-19 sufferers given that November 2020, when the U.S. Food stuff and Drug Administration issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for treatment options, according to information delivered by the governor’s business office.

“One antibody, bamlanivimab, cannot be applied by alone but can be used when merged with estesevimab to realize the desired level of performance. The other currently authorized monoclonal antibody remedies are casirivimab in addition imdevimab, (REGEN-COV), and sotrovimab. These antibodies perform by directly blocking the outcome of the COVID-19 virus in sufferers that are presently contaminated,” point out officials reported.

The governor’s place of work provided the next added information on the therapy:

Cure employing these antibodies ought to be approved and requested by a physician or medical supplier. Those people suitable to get the treatment method are at-chance people ages 12 and more mature who take a look at constructive for COVID-19 and exhibit delicate to reasonable indicators that commenced within just the past 10 days. In addition, people with COVID-19 are not eligible for the remedy if they have been or are currently hospitalized or have been given oxygen to help with typical breathing.

DHEC is doing the job with suppliers to broaden treatment method areas, together with to regions where there at present are no vendors. As of Sept. 1, 2021, much more than 16,000 COVID-19 sufferers in South Carolina have been addressed with monoclonal antibodies. It is approximated that this procedure has prevented almost 2,000 hospitalizations and 200 deaths.

DHEC’s webpage on monoclonal antibodies involves details on the therapy and a map of treatment areas throughout the point out. The DHEC internet site delivers further information on COVID-19 and wherever to get vaccinated.

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