Essentia Health Offering Treatment for High-Risk COVID-19 Patients

(Fargo, ND) -- As COVID-19 remains prevalent in our communities, Essentia Health continues to offer a treatment for people diagnosed with mild to moderate cases of the virus who are at high risk for severe complications and hospitalization.

It’s called monoclonal antibody treatment. Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-made proteins, which mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens found in viruses. The first monoclonal antibody to receive emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was bamlanivimab in November 2020. Since that time, other monoclonal antibody treatments have also been authorized for use.

Data from 4,600 patients in Minnesota showed that bamlanivimab lowered hospitalization rates to 2.3%, compared to 10-15% for those who didn’t undergo the treatment. Preliminary data also showed as much as a 70% reduction in both hospitalizations and death in treated patients.

However, data from ongoing clinical trials indicates that bamlanivimab alone is not effective against emerging COVID-19 variants. Thus, a new combination monoclonal antibody treatment, which includes both bamlanivimab and another drug called etesevimab, is now in use, including at Essentia. Research shows the treatment to be more effective against COVID variants.

Health experts say at this time there are enough supplies on hand to utilize the treatment more broadly. Essentia is accepting referrals from all medical providers within and outside of the Essentia system, and offering it to any patient who meets the FDA’s eligibility requirements, including those patients who receive care from an outside health system. It must be given within 10 days of the start of symptoms and as soon as possible after a positive COVID-19 test.

The therapy is offered at these locations:

• Duluth: Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, 407 E. Third St.

• Fargo: Essentia Health-32nd Avenue Clinic, 3000 32nd Ave. S.

• Brainerd: Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center, 523 N. Third St.

• Ada: Essentia Health-Ada, 201 Ninth St. W.

• Deer River: Essentia Health-Deer River, 115 10th Ave. N.E.

• Detroit Lakes: Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital, 1027 Washington Ave.

• Fosston: Essentia Health-Fosston, 900 Hilligoss Blvd. S.E.

• Graceville: Essentia Health-Holy Trinity Hospital, 115 W. Second St.

• Virginia: Essentia Health Urgent Care, 901 Ninth St. N.

 

People who have a positive COVID-19 test at any Essentia Health site are automatically screened for the FDA’s criteria. Those who were tested at other sites can contact their primary care provider for a referral, or call a toll-free hotline at (833) 769-1524 to be screened. Hotline hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Health care providers can refer a patient by calling Essentia Health’s STAT Doc line.

The FDA states patients age 12 or older who are at high risk for severe complications and/or hospitalization are eligible for the treatment. Children must weigh at least 40 kilograms or 88 pounds.

Qualified patients include those who:

• Have the COVID-19 virus

• Are within 10 days of beginning mild to moderate symptoms and

• Meet at least one risk factor identified by the FDA

 

The FDA defines “high risk” as patients who meet at least one of these criteria:

• Body mass index (BMI) of 35 or more

• Chronic kidney disease (consider hemodialysis patients)

• Diabetes

• Immunosuppressive disease

• Currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment (e.g. rheumatology patients, patients with inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, on Humira or other immunosuppressive therapies)

• Age 65 or older

• Age 55 or older and have:

◦ cardiovascular disease OR

◦ hypertension OR

◦ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/other chronic respiratory disease

 

Ages 12-17 and have:

◦ BMI in 85th percentile or higher for age and gender based on CDC growth chart OR

◦ Sickle cell disease OR

◦ Congenital or acquired heart disease OR

◦ Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. cerebral palsy) OR

◦ Medical-related technological dependence not related to COVID-19 (e.g. tracheostomy, gastrostomy or positive-pressure ventilation) OR 

◦ Asthma, reactive airway or other chronic respiratory disease that requires daily medication for control