FORT MYERS, FLa. — Governor Ron DeSantis in Lee County, making an appearance at the Fort Myers branch of the Florida Health Department.
The Governor's visit came some what as a surprise as it was announced only this morning that he would be here in Lee County. While here, Governor DeSantis spoke about monoclonal antibody treatment.
“Since we’ve been doing those treatments, we’ve seen a decline in hospital admissions for Covid, we’ve seen a decline in the hospital census for Covid, we’ve seen a decline in the visits to emergency rooms,” said DeSantis.
During the presser, he said more than 40,000 patients have been treated with monoclonal antibodies from the state’s 21 different sites. This comes just days after Lee Health experienced their record number of Covid-19 patients admitted. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, antibodies could help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus.
Governor DeSantis went on to say the vast majority of those who sought treatment at sites did not know about it until recently. People like Nikki Scofield- a fourth grade teacher in Lee County Schools- and Shawn Chamberlain, who works in law enforcement.
“I had no idea what this was a month ago and so I just knew I had to do something for my family," said Scofield. "I feel that it helped me, I feel that it helped me from the ICU and so I’m very fortunate to have heard about it so quickly and get treatment so quickly.”
“After I got the treatment, my symptoms stayed pretty mild and then I got better," says Chamberlain. "It’s going on a little over a week and I feel great. I’m glad that that was an option and it’s an option for people out there.”
The CDC says if used, antibodies should be administered as soon as possible after diagnosis and within 10 days of symptom onset. But it’s best for healthcare providers to decide on whether the treatment is appropriate to treat one’s illness.
Treatment facilities are taking walk in patients at this time, but scheduling an appointment is recommended. Currently, there are three treatment locations here in Southwest Florida. There is the Bonita Springs location, which is open seven days a week from 9 to 5 p.m. There is also the Immokalee location at a Dollar General store and one in Charlotte County, located at the community center in Englewood.
The original story appears below.
______________________________________________________________________
Governor Ron DeSantis will be making an announcement at the Fort Myers branch of the Florida Department of Health.
A release from his press office did not discuss the topic of the governor's announcement.
He is expected to begin speaking at 9:30 a.m. Fox 4 will have a crew there; look for updates on-air and to this story as they become available.
