The Hernando County Department of Emergency Management is exploring the possibility of establishing a monoclonal antibody treatment clinic here.
According to Hernando County Public Information Coordinator Kasey Kupcik – Hyde on Aug. 28, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has asked Emergency Management Director James Coleman to open and manage a monoclonal antibodies treatment site.
“We have been working with partners, including both local hospital systems and FDEM, to analyze the need for such service and determine what resources are available at the local level to open a clinic,” Kupcik – Hyde said.
According to reports, Coleman told the BOCC that CDR Maguire would manage appointments at the prospective Hernando County clinic site.
However CDR Spokesman Steve Vancore said that the firm had not been notified of a Hernando County site.
“We have not been notified by the state that if there is a (Hernando County) site, that we will be the contractor for that site.”
No one from the Florida Department of Health was available for comment.
Monoclonal antibody treatments are antibody cocktails that if given early after a COVID-19 diagnosis boost the immune system. Treatments consist of three shots – one in each arm and one in the stomach – or an infusion. They are available without a doctor’s order to anyone age 12 or older who is at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness, and are offered free of charge at designated clinics.
There are 21 monoclonal antibody treatment clinic sites located throughout Florida. The closest to Hernando County is the clinic that opened last month at the Pasco Fasano Center in Hudson.
Meanwhile, the Hernando County clinic feasibility study remains ongoing.
“Staff continues to work through that analysis and will have a report for the BOCC soon,” Kupcik – Hyde said.
