Alberta is beginning to administer a new treatment for some COVID-19 patients, but the new tool in the fight against coronavirus is not a substitute for the vaccine, the province’s medical director of health said Tuesday.
“Sotrovimab is a new drug that was developed specifically to treat COVID-19 patients who have mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw told reporters at a press conference providing an update. on the province’s pandemic response. “It is the first treatment offered to outpatients in Alberta. For maximum efficacy, it should be administered within five days of the onset of symptoms.
“But let me emphasize that sotrovimab does not replace COVID-19 vaccines. Albertans are still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against the virus, as vaccines are the most effective method of preventing serious disease outcomes.
“While this drug is helpful, it does not change the fact that vaccines continue to be our most important tool in protecting ourselves and others.”
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Alberta Health Services website It also emphasizes that sotrovimab “is not a replacement for the COVID-19 vaccine.”
In a statement issued to Global News, AHS said that treatment is currently only offered to people who are 65 or older and who have not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. It is also offered to people who have received a solid organ transplant or a stem cell transplant, “regardless of vaccination status.”
The monoclonal antibody treatment was approved by Health Canada in late July. The AHS website states that “Health Canada has authorized the sale of this drug based on limited human clinical trials and / or quality information.”
“Sotrovimab is reported to have the potential to prevent one hospital admission for every 20 patients receiving treatment,” says the health authority.
“Treatment is being rolled out across the province in a staged approach, starting with those most at risk for serious outcomes like hospitalization,” Hinshaw said.
He noted that AHS EMS Mobile Integrated Health Teams have begun administering sotrovimab to some eligible patients in their homes. People receiving the treatment at home will be given it through an intravenous infusion.
Hinshaw noted that in Fort McMurray and the surrounding areas, people who are eligible for treatment and who request it will receive it at an AHS clinic.
READ MORE: The number of Albertans in ICU with COVID-19 continues to decline Tuesday
In his press conference Tuesday, Hinshaw said that while the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital ICUs is declining along with the total number of active coronavirus cases in the province, the health care system is still significantly affected by the number. of people requiring hospital treatment due to the virus.
Watch below: Some recent videos on the COVID-19 situation in Alberta.
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