Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 11-27-20

Feature
Tampa General 1st In State To Offer Antibody COVID-19 Treatments
Eli Lilly and Company’s an- tibody therapeutic will be dis- tributed as part of the federal government’s Operation Warp Speed.
Last Thursday, Tampa Gen- eral Hospital was provided the first monoclonal antibody treat- ment to a COVID-19 positive pa- tient. The monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab from Eli Lilly is a first in class treatment that will allow physicians from Tampa General and USF Health to pro- vide protection to COVID-19 positive patients with mild or moderate symptoms before they deteriorate further or require hospitalization.
This single dose infusion- based treatment is provided on an outpatient basis and marks a dramatic shift in COVID-19 care.
“Tampa General Hospital and USF Health were already actively conducting clinical tri- als on COVID-19 and had the team, location and infrastruc- ture in place to identify and care for the patients who can benefit most from this treatment,” Dr. Kami Kim, director of the Di- vision Infectious Diseases and International Medicine at USF Health Morsani College of Med- icine said.
The monoclonal antibody is a man-made protein that acts like a human antibody in the im- mune system. It works to block the “spike protein” in the virus before it can enter human cells and cause illness. Introduction of a monoclonal antibody in a
sick person essentially neutral- izes the virus and stops it from worsening and spreading. The monoclonal antibody bam- lanivimab is delivered through a single hour-long infusion treat- ment. After the procedure, pa- tients are monitored for another hour to ensure there are no side effects and then return home to continue their recovery.
To make sure it is getting to the people who need it most, physicians are only approving its use on high-risk patients. High risk patients are COVID-19 positive who are within ten days of symptom onset and meet at least one of the following crite- ria: Age 65 or older; Currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment; Have diabetes; Have chronic kidney disease; and Have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 35.
In the event of a shortage of monoclonal antibodies, clini- cians will work with patients to determine whether they qualify for similar drugs that are under investigation as part of numer- ous research trials currently un- derway at USF and TGH.
The Eli Lilly monoclonal an- tibodies (mAbs) were recently approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Use Authoriza-tion under an Emer- gency Use Authorization (EUA) for the treatment of mild to moderate symptoms from COVID-19. TGH received some of the first supplies in the coun- try and has the option to request additional doses on a weekly basis to serve the community.
On His Final Day In Office, Comm. Miller Learns Building Will Bear His Name
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Hillsborough County Commissioner Lesley ‘Les’ Miller conducted his final meeting as Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commis- sioners on Monday, Novem- ber 16, 2020.
On that day, he learned that a building in the county would bear his name. The All Peoples Community Park and Life Center, will, on Decem- ber 1, 2020, become the Les- ley ‘Les’ Miller All Peoples Community Park and Life Center.
“It was a surprise, quite a surprise,” he said when quired about the naming. “I’m glad to be honored in
LESLEY ‘LES’ MILLER, JR.
that way, but I never did any of the work in the community for something to be named for me. I’ve tried to do what is best for the people.
“The building, as it says, is for ‘all peoples’,” he empha- sized, “and that’s what I like
about it. It has always been a place for all ages, where vari- ous programs for disabilities are held. I’ve been there on numerous occasions for nu- merous events, so it’s quite an honor,” he said.
Commissioner Ken Hagan recommended that the center bear Miller’s name, recognizing the work he has done with parks and recreation centers during his 10-year career with the county.
The Lesley “Les’ Miller All Peoples Community Park and Life Center is located at 6105 E. Sligh Ave. It opened in 2007. This facility was de- signed to serve people of all ages and abilities, but special- izes in serving people with disabilities.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020