Healthcare community statement

EAST WENATCEE – Due to widespread misinformation and misunderstanding, your local healthcare agencies want to clarify some important information regarding the limited supply of monoclonal antibody therapeutic treatment.  Monoclonal antibody treatment provides a short-term, passive immune protection that can buy time for your body to fight against a COVID-19 infection. If given before severe symptoms set in, it can reduce the risk of severe illness in high-risk individuals. Monoclonal antibody treatment is administered through shots or intravenous (IV) infusions and can take anywhere from two to three hours at a clinic.  In comparison, it takes 20 to 30 minutes on average to get vaccinated which produces a long term active immune response and reduces the risk of COVID-19 hospitalization by 71% (Johnson and Johnson), 88% (Pfizer), and 93% (Moderna) in individuals who are not immunocompromised. Visit vaccines.gov to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you. Due to the demand of monoclonal antibodies, the federal government recently announced a new distribution process. Allocations in Washington are now distributed through the State Department of Health (DOH) who is actively working on a reasonable transition. Learn more at doh.wa.gov. Your local healthcare agencies want you to know that monoclonal antibody treatment supplies are very limited and specific criteria must be met for individuals seeking this treatment. Besides testing positive for COVID-19 and experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, you MUST have certain high-risk factors including: • Pregnant • Obesity • Diabetes • Chronic kidney disease • High blood pressure • Asthma For more details on the eligibility criteria, visit combatcovid.com. Due to limited supplies, it is important to note that local healthcare agencies are not be able to accommodate every high-risk individual who technically qualifies for monoclonal antibody treatment. If you are a high-risk individual and are within the 10 day window of testing positive for COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms, your healthcare provider will determine if you are eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment. Your local healthcare agencies continue to work tirelessly to provide adequate care. We appreciate your patience as we continue to respond to the highly-stressed demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please visit our websites below for more information:  Chelan-Douglas Health District: www.cdhd.wa.gov Lake Chelan Health: www.LakeChelanHealth.orgColumbia Valley Community Health:  www.cvch.orgCascade Medical:  www.cascademedical.org
Confluence Health: www.confluencehealth.org