BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The severe reduction nationwide in the availability of monoclonal antibodies has limited St. Joseph’s Hospital’s ability to provide infusions to those with COVID infections.
As the number of COVID patients statewide continues to increase, the demand for the antibody infusions has increased as well. However, the hospital will be forced to reduce and/or close its COVID antibody infusion center on occasion until the supply of antibodies increases.
“The demand for antibody infusions has quickly surpassed the supply,” said Skip Gjolberg, President of St. Joseph’s Hospital. “This increase in COVID patients is once again severely straining our hospital’s resources.”
“The most important thing that the community can do to assist in this pandemic is to get fully vaccinated, including a booster vaccination,” said Gjolberg. “In West Virginia, approximately 80 % of COVID admissions come from unvaccinated individuals, with higher numbers of the unvaccinated admitted to ICUs. Vaccinations and boosters are going to be the only way we can beat this pandemic and prevent severe illness and death.”
