COVID-19 Treatment Site Opening At Tropicana Field: DeSantis

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A monoclonal antibody treatment center for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 will open at the Tropicana Field, according to a Rays' press release.

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as viruses, including the coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

"Over 90 percent of the people who are being admitted did not get a monoclonal antibody treatment after they were infected," Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. "And so from both prevention and treatment, you see kind of who is making up the bulk of the hospital ... it's out belief based on the data that if more people knew about this, and had done it, that the admissions (to hospitals) would have been lower."

The opening date of the monoclonal site at the Trop has not been released as of yet. As of Thursday, DeSantis said monoclonal sites have been opened in eight Florida counties: Pasco, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach and Volusia.

"Sixty-five percent of eligible Floridians have been vaccinated FDEM Chief Medical Officer," Dr. Kenneth Scheppke said. "We need to keep up this stride to prevent illness. But we also need to make sure we have safe proven treatment solutions ready if and when our most vulnerable Floridians contract COVID-19. That's how monoclonal antibodies will save lives."

DeSantis said the antibody treatment can also be authorized as a prophylaxis if someone has been exposed to a person who has COVID-19. The treatment is free, according to DeSantis. He said the federal government purchased the whole lot of this as soon as it was developed.

"To be explicitly clear: vaccines remain the absolute number-one way to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death from the virus – proven by science and backed by the medical community," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said. "The massive spikes in COVID-19 cases driving our hospital system to the brink is largely by unvaccinated individuals. I continue to encourage every eligible Floridian to take advantage of this free, easy, and effective way to stay safe — get your shot today, not tomorrow,” Fried said. Get the treatment early if you test positive for COVID-19, Fried suggested — the sooner, the better.

For information about the already established monoclonal antibody sites, visit Florida Health. Patch will keep you updated on the opening of the site at the Tropicana Field.