Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment shifted to locally operated providers

Palm Coast Observer
News

by: Gretchen Smith

Public Information Officer, Florida Department of Health in Flagler

The state of Florida's monoclonal antibody therapy treatment sites, administered by a network of community partners to ensure the health care sector is equipped to administer monoclonal antibody therapy treatment to Floridians, are shifting to locally operated providers. In Palm Coast, the site at Daytona State College, 3000 Palm Coast Parkway SE, closed on Oct. 31.

An alternative monoclonal antibody therapy treatment location in this area is at AdventHealth Palm Coast, 60 Memorial Medical Parkway.

The Florida Department of Health will continue to allocate doses of monoclonal antibodies to health care providers with high utilization rates and will ensure inventory levels meet county demand.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment locations can be found at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov and by using the National Infusion Center Association’s treatment locator.

Benefits of Treatment:

Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the COVID-19 virus.
Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment is for individuals who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment can prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death in high-risk patients who have contracted COVID-19. Specifically, it:
- Reduces the risk of death/hospitalization by 70%-85%.
- Reduces the risk of developing symptomatic disease by over 80%.

In other DOH news:

Virtual Diabetes Prevention Class starting Nov. 15

Given that November, Diabetes Awareness Month, is only a few days away, there’s no better time to commit to improving your health and reducing your chance of developing diabetes. The Florida Department of Health in Flagler is offering a new opportunity to facilitate lifestyle changes and prevent diabetes through a year-long virtual Diabetes Prevention Program. The free program starts November 15 and is available to anyone, provided they are overweight, age 18 or older, and have at least one of the following:

have been told they have prediabetes or borderline diabetes;
have a family history of type 2 diabetes;
had diabetes during pregnancy; and/or
receive a high-risk result on a prediabetes test.

“Reducing the incidence of diabetes has been a public health priority in Flagler County for several years,” said Health Administrator Robert Snyder with DOH-Flagler. “The curriculum for our new virtual program is CDC-approved, and makes it easy to lose weight, become physically active and manage stress. True, we ask participants to make a 12-month commitment, but the virtual format makes it convenient to access curriculum whenever and wherever they choose.”

According to Snyder, Diabetes rates in Flagler County improved to 12 percent in 2019 from 14 percent in 2016. Despite this positive trend, there has been an uptick in the number of Flagler residents who are considered obese from 27 percent to almost 29 percent over the same three-year period.

“In just three years, our Diabetes Education Center has made a difference in helping clients learn how to manage and prevent this chronic disease,” he added. “Nonetheless, we want to do more to reduce obesity and encourage Flagler residents live healthier lives. We hope this new virtual program will help us come closer to achieving these goals.”

To sign up for DOH-Flagler’s virtual diabetes prevention class, call 386-313-7264.

Those interested in the program should also consider joining the health department, City of Palm Coast and the AdventPalm Coast Foundation’s DiaBEATes Alliance for World Diabetes Day, Sunday, Nov. 14 at Palm Coast City Hall. The health and wellness event will take place from 4 to 5PM, and will include free diabetes screenings, giveaways, and 30 minutes of group activity led by MondelloFit and Hot Yoga Lounge. Guests should come dressed to exercise and have some fun while showing support for diabetes prevention and treatment. You can register online at parksandrec.fun/events.

Through its Diabetes Education Center, the Florida Department of Health in Flagler County helps those diagnosed with diabetes lead healthier lives and helps others prevent the disease. In addition to diabetes self-management and prevention classes, free blood sugar screenings are offered weekdays from 8:30AM to 4PM. The Flagler County Health Department office is at 206 Dr. Carter Blvd. in Bunnell. For more information call 386-313-7263 or 386-313-7264.