Mobile monoclonal COVID-19 treatment available in El Paso County
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- On Monday morning, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment opened a Monoclonal anti-body treatment bus in El Paso County.
It's part of one of the executive orders issued by Governor Jared Polis in the fight against COVID-19 in Colorado. It aims at addressing staffing shortages in hospitals across the state.
"We’ll take all the help we can get," said Jared Vernor, with El Paso County Public Health.
The monoclonal antibody treatment bus is for people who have already tested positive for COVID-19 or are at a very high risk. Patients need a doctor's referral and appointment.
According to health experts, the treatment stimulates the immune system for COVID patients to help battle the worst symptoms.
"This is to help boost the antibodies that people may have already gotten from the vaccine to hopefully try to prevent hospitalization," said Vernor.
It's an effort to keep hospital capacity down and try and speed up recovery times. As of Friday, 1,184 COVID-19 patients were in hospitals across the state. According to El Paso County Public, 195 people are hospitalized in El Paso County.
"This is another tool in the toolbox. Obviously, vaccination is the best one in addition to the measures we’ve been talking about for the past two years," said Vernor.
The bus will be at the Citadel Mall until Saturday but could be extended if needed. They can take up to 25 patients a day. You don't need to be vaccinated to get the treatment.