Texans suffering from COVID-19 have another option to fight the virus after a state-funded infusion center opens.
COVID-19 therapeutics are available for individuals age 12 and over who test positive for the virus at the Regional Infusion Center at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth.
The goal of the infusion center is to reduce the number of COVID-19 patients who need to be hospitalized.
“The opening of the Infusion Center is a great tool to help reduce the load on the over-burdened hospitals across Tarrant County and DFW,” said Dr. Catherine Colquitt, Tarrant County Public Health Authority.
To qualify for COVID-19 therapeutics, a patient must be referred by a health care provider.
The center uses the monoclonal antibody treatment, Regeneron, and is accessible to patients and health care providers.
In addition to their physician’s referral, patients must test positive for COVID-19 and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Age 65 or older
- Obesity or being overweight with a BMI greater than 25
- Pregnant
- Suffer from chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or immunosuppressive disease
- Receiving immunosuppressive treatment
- Diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, chronic lung disease, sickle cell disease, or neurodevelopmental disorder
- Have a medical-related technological dependence
- Be in a high-risk ethnicity group, such as Black or Latino
Appointments are required, and no walk-in patients will be seen. The center’s operating hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for seven days a week. Medical personnel can treat 90 patients a day at the center.
Doctors must call the Infusion Hotline at 800-742-5990 and complete the online forms for patients eligible for an appointment.
Dr. Colquitt added that the best option is to get vaccinated and encouraged everyone to wear a mask and use social distancing as essential measures to reduce the spread of the virus.