BEAUMONT, Texas — More Southeast Texans have access to antibody treatment on Monday with the opening of Beaumont's first 'infusion center' for COVID-19 patients.
The center is meant to help treat people with a COVID-19 diagnosis and help reduce hospitalizations after a recent uptick in cases in the region.
The infusion center will be able to give infusions of Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatments to 150 COVID patients every day according to Jefferson County officials. It is set up for outpatient care at 5500 Eastex Freeway in Beaumont and will serve patients seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Southeast Texas hospitals are currently administering treatment to up to 30 patients per day. Anyone 12 or older is eligible.
“We'll be giving them IV infusions, intravenous infusions, which take about 20 minutes, a little bit more with registration and all that, and about one hour of observation,” Dr. Rashid Chotani said. “We will observe them, and once we feel that they are comfortable, we will let them go home.”
Officials emphasized your primary care physician will schedule the infusion for you once you receive a positive COVID-19 test. If you test positive and do not a have a doctor, you will be able to call the hotline to schedule an appointment. The number to call is 409-550-2536. Choose option one when you call to be screened for an appointment.
The Texas Division of Emergency Management contracted with a private vendor and is providing all the equipment and staffing to make sure the center is fully operational at Gov. Greg Abbott's direction, officials said on Monday in a news release.
The infusions center will be open for as long as the region needs it to be based on COVID-19 cases and hospitalization numbers, Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said.
“This is an initiative that's going to prove extremely successful in relieving their burden,” Branick said.
Infusion centers have already been set up around Texas, in places such as Laredo and Lubbock. Officials believe the Beaumont one could have similar successful results in Southeast Texas.
“On average, within our four-county region, we were probably able to do, through all the smaller facilities, 30 or 40 of these infusions a day,” John Gothia, Orange County Judge, said. “Now, we're going to be able to do 150 a day and hopefully ramp that up if we need it.”
Health officials said the best time for someone to seek this treatment is once they test positive and within 10 days of experiencing symptoms.
