Ellis County residents infected with COVID-19 may now access the highly effective treatment known as monoclonal antibody therapy free of charge in the City of Ferris.
From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. September 14 through November 15, 2021, a pop-up operation will accept patients for the therapy at Ferris Scout House, 514 Mable Street in Ferris, Texas [map].
Eligible patients infected with COVID-19 will receive a treatment of Regen-COV, the state-of-the-art medical therapy credited with speeding the recovery of former President Donald Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott after they were diagnosed with COVID-19. The treatment will be administered by MDLab, a Rockwall, Texas-based mobile testing lab that offers medical therapeutics.
Appointments are available through the MDLab registration web page, and walk-ins are also encouraged. Patients do not need to have health insurance. All treatments will be made available free of charge to patients, and priority will be given to Ferris and Ellis County residents although all Texas residents are eligible.
Regen-COV is the brand name for the monoclonal antibody treatment developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The therapy has been shown to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and the need for hospitalization in those who receive treatment within 10 days of developing symptoms of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that causes the acute respiratory syndrome known as COVID-19. Many patients receiving the treatment clear the virus with 24-48 hours. The need for hospitalization among COVID-19 patients is also reduced by 70%.
Costs for the treatment are being covered by Federal and state funds. Throughout the summer, the Federal government has shipped an average of 100,000 doses of Regeron per week free of charge to treatment facilities throughout the country and increased the number of shipped doses by 50% starting in September. The City of Ferris is using $180,000 of its Federal COVID-19 relief funds to coordinate the treatment effort locally.
In a social media post, a representative for the City of Ferris cites the rise in local COVID-19 cases brought on by the Delta variant and the operation of area hospitals beyond their capacity as reasons for the facility, stating “while the city and county continue to work with the state, this is very much a local effort brought about through the recommendations and support from City Manager Brooks Williams and Ellis County Judge Todd Little. Ellis County Emergency Management and City of Ferris leadership will spearhead coordination of the effort with the MDLABTX team, local physicians, local hospitals, and the Texas Department of Emergency Management.”
The Ferris treatment pop-up will add to the number of centers already operating in the state and will spare local residents from needing to drive to to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for the nearest facility outside of a hospital setting. The Ferris site will administer 60 to 80 doses per day.
“Currently, area hospitals in Ellis County can only administer approximately 30 doses daily. This site will instantly add significant capacity,” the post states.