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Magee General Hospital Receives First Doses of Drug Used to Treat COVID-19
Magee, MS — Magee General Hospital has received its first set of doses of Bamlanivimab, a drug that has been recently been authorized for emergency use by the FDA for the outpatient treatment of some COVID patients. The drug may be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients.
“We were thankful to receive these doses of Bamlanivimab,” says Pam Wallace, Director of Community Service for Magee General. “While the criteria are very strict regarding the administration of the drug, we are excited to be able to offer this service to our community, and we believe it will have a positive effect on our efforts to lower the hospitalization rate of coronavirus patients in our area.”
Currently, the approved use of Bamlanimivab for COVID treatment is for high-risk patients who have been diagnosed with the virus but have not been hospitalized for it. High risk is defined as patients who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 35
- Have chronic kidney disease
- Have diabetes
- Have immunosuppressive disease
- Are currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Are over 65 years of age
- Are over 55 years of age AND have cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease.
- Are 12 – 17 years of age AND have a BMI that is greater than the 85th percentile or sickle cell disease, heart disease, neurodevelopmental disorders, medical-related technological dependence, or asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control.
Bamlanimivab is NOT authorized for patients who are currently hospitalized for COVID-19 or receiving oxygen therapy because of the virus.
In clinical trials, Bamlanimivab was shown to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in patients at high risk for disease progression within 28 days after treatment, as compared with placebo.
The authorized dosage of Bamlanimivab is a single IV infusion that will be done in the hospital. It should be administered as soon as possible after a positive test for COVID and within 10 days of symptom onset. Patients who think they qualify for the medication should first see their general practitioner, who will refer them to Magee General for treatment as an outpatient.
For over 70 years, Magee General Hospital’s goal has been to meet the healthcare needs of its community through progress and a commitment to excellence. Magee General Hospital is dedicated to meeting the challenges of the future and assuring the people of its community that they will receive quality healthcare at a reasonable cost.
MageeNews.com is an online news site covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
