Beginning Monday, October 25, Bothwell Regional Health Center will provide monoclonal antibody infusion treatment for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and who have had onset of symptoms within the last 10 days.

A press release say monoclonal antibody infusion can help the body fight off COVID-19 and reduce the risk of severe illness or hospitalization.

For the last 60 days, Bothwell has been a regional site for a state-run Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Center operated by SLS, a company from Galveston, Texas, that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services contracted with as part of the state’s efforts to make the treatment more widely available. The center opened on August 25, and through October 18 treatment has been provided to 498 people. The state contract with SLS ends on Saturday, October 23.

Lori Wightman, Bothwell CEO, said the closure of the state-run infusion center at the hospital doesn’t mean the need for treatment no longer exists.

“While the number of COVID-19 cases is dropping at the hospital and in the community, the virus is still circulating and people are still getting sick,” she said. “Our medical team is certain the infusion treatment provided to patients over the last several months has prevented hospitalizations, which has ensured we have beds for the sickest patients.”

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 and had onset of symptoms within the last 10 days can call the Bothwell infusion center at (660) 829-8830 to be screened for potential treatment. People who have been in close contact with a COVID-positive person should contact their healthcare provider to receive a referral for treatment.

The infusion treatment will be administered from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the hospital’s second floor. The medication is free, however an administration fee will be charged.