Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited Cone Health Wesley Long Hospital in Guilford County to see their monoclonal antibody infusion center.
“We’re focused on vaccinations as the way to beat this pandemic, but we also know the importance of monoclonal antibody treatment to help keep people out of the hospital when they do get sick,” said Governor Cooper. “Cone Health is working to ensure everyone can get the care they need so we can emerge on the other side of this pandemic stronger than before.”
“The monoclonal antibody infusion center is a bright spot in our fight against COVID-19. This treatment prevents hospitalizations and saves lives,” said Mary Jo Cagle, MD, CEO of Cone Health. “We appreciate the opportunity to share this important body of work with Governor Cooper.”
Cone Health has its own monoclonal antibodies infusion center to provide treatment to patients. The hospital also conducts outreach about monoclonal antibody treatment to members of the community who are at high risk for hospitalization if they have tested positive for COVID-19.
On September 2, the Governor signed Executive Order 232 to make it easier for people to access treatment for COVID-19. The Order authorizes and directs State Health Director, Dr. Betsey Tilson, to issue a statewide standing order to expand access to monoclonal antibody treatment, which if taken early can decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death.
To date, North Carolina has administered more than 11 million doses of the vaccine. Sixty-eight percent of adults have received at least one shot, including 90 percent of North Carolinians ages 65 and older. Sixty-three percent of adults have been fully vaccinated.
Learn more about the state’s vaccine distribution at myspot.nc.gov (English) or Vacunate.nc.gov (Spanish). Use NCDHHS’ online tool Find a Vaccine Location to find a nearby vaccine site. Call the state’s COVID-19 vaccine hotline at 888-675-4567. Ask your doctor about Monoclonal Antibodies or call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 (English) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish).
Video footage of this event will be available for media use here, here and here.
###