The fast transmission of the delta variant of the virus especially among the young population and the severe symptoms observed in the younger unvaccinated people has led to an increase in hospitalization rates in the state. More than 90% of the hospital beds in the state are occupied and the number is expected to increase soon.
The Alarming Rise In The Number Of New Coronavirus Cases In The State Of Florida Has Caused Stress On The ER Systems In The States.
Considering this fact the Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis is considering all possible plans to curb the strain on the ER systems and reduce the transmission of the virus in the state. To relieve the pressure on hospitals, on Thursday, he announced the launch of rapid response units to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies in the state and at the same time encouraging citizens to get vaccinated.
The state has decided to buy the monoclonal antibodies from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals that need to be delivered either intravenously or by injection. These antibodies are lab-made and available in concentrated doses. According to DeSantis, these antibodies shall help patients with chronic problems and comorbidities and are geared towards people at high risk. Elderly people or people with kidney problems, diabetes, morbid obesity, etc are best suited to avail this line of treatment to boost the response system. It should be noted that the past US President Donal Trump also underwent this line of treatment when he was infected with Covid-19 during the last fall.
The Republican Governor stressed that both the treatments together – the monoclonal antibodies injection and the mRNA vaccines should result in ensuring faster protection for all people in the state. He stated the importance of attacking the problem on multiple fronts and said “I don’t think it’s an either-or,”. It has to be used in tandem together.
Both the Federal and the state authorities are working to fast track deliveries of the drugs to patients. Since the beginning of July, more than 15000 patient courses of monoclonal antibodies have been shipped to Florida at around 162 sites. There has been a rise in the number of people using this product to boost antibodies to fight the new strain of the virus since August. As many as 3300 people used this line of treatment last week.
Meanwhile, the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the state is going unabated. The number of new Covid-19 patients in the state on Thursday climbed to 15,358 with more than 3,200 patients needing to be hospitalized. The stain on emergency service is visible and doctors are sending back relatively better patients to undergo home treatment and admitting only the sicker ones. The Federal Government has also sent a large number of ventilators to the state to support the Emergency Response Services in the state.
On Thursday, the United States drug regulator –FDA has approved giving a third dose – a booster dose to immunocompromised American citizens. This shall lead to providing stronger protection to over 10 million patients in the United States who are transplant patients, cancer patients, or people with comorbidity issues.
