Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that Florida is increasing the availability of monoclonal antibody therapies by opening a rapid response unit to administer this treatment, Regeneron, in Jacksonville.
DeSantis said the state will be exploring an additional long-term location at the Jacksonville Public Library, as well as other locations throughout the state.
Regeneron, a monoclonal antibody cocktail, is an FDA approved treatment for COVID patients to help keep people out of the state's rapidly filling hospitals.
At Triple O Medical in West Palm Beach, dr. Olayami Osiyemi offers it to patients via IV infusion.
"We put the IV in the arm and infuse the medication for a 30 minute period," said Dr. Olaymi Osiyemi of Triple O Medical in West Palm Beach.
He stresses the treatment is not a substitute for a COVID-19 vaccine.
"The idea is not to overwhelm the hospital systems, so if we can get to these folks before they get sick enough to be in the hospital, take care of them, that will be the best thing," said Dr. Osiyemi.
Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay says work is already underway to get the mobile clinics here.
"We do have one of our assistant county administrators working with AMR, which is American Medical Response, a private ambulance company, they have been looking at setting up these treatments programs across the county," said Commissioner Melissa McKinlay.
The governor also announced strike teams will be sent to nursing homes.
For the over 400 residents at Sinai Residences of Boca Raton, Executive Director Rachel Blumberg is on board with this idea.
"By taking them out of that safe, isolated apartment, that is putting so many others potentially at risk, so to get this therapy when they're positive in their home, without leaving their safe environment is huge," said Sinai Residences of Boca Raton Executive Director Rachel Blumberg.
To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, CLICK HERE.