The Louisiana Department of Health is now operating 13 community-based monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) treatment sites, including one in Natchitoches at the Troy Mayeaux Ball Field Parking Lot in the Dixie Youth Recreation Complex, 230 Dalme Drive, Natchitoches, LA 71457 with access from East Fifth Street by School Drive to Dalme Drive and the mAb site.
Louisiana received its first allocation of monoclonal antibodies on November 12, 2020 and began administering to positive, symptomatic patients immediately.
In addition to the community-based sites, there are 143 providers statewide that had received mAb shipments they could administer as treatment.
Each community-based site will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with an ability to serve more than 150 patients daily per site.
Community-based mAb sites operating as of September 24 are:
REGION 2: Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge General: 3600 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Clinton Alternative Learning Center: 9414 Plank Road, Clinton, LA 70722
REGION 3: South Central
Big Lots: 404 N. Canal St., Thibodaux, LA 70301
Houma Municipal Community Center: 880 Verret St., Houma, LA 70360
REGION 4: Acadiana
Blackham Coliseum: 2330 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503
Rayne Civic Center: 400 Frog Festival Drive, Rayne, LA 70578
REGION 5: Southwest
Burton Coliseum: 7001 Gulf Hwy., Lake Charles, LA 70607
DeQuincy Ball Fields: 97 Bond Road, DeQuincy, LA 70633
REGION 6: Cenla
Byrd Regional Hospital at Deer Creek: 810 S. 10th St., Leesville, LA 71496
Rapides Coliseum parking lot: 5600 Coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, LA 71303
REGION 7: Northwest
Louisiana Fairgrounds: 3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109
REGION 8: Northeast
Moorehouse General Hospital: 323 W. Walnut Ave., Bastrop, LA 71220
State Farm Building: 24 Accent Drive, Monroe, LA 71203
Monoclonal antibody treatment
Monoclonal antibodies are man-made antibodies produced in a laboratory that can mimic the human immune system response to infection. mAbs are designed to block viral attachment and entry into human cells, thus neutralizing the virus that causes COVID-19.
Patients need to be referred by their doctor or other healthcare provider to a facility that offers mAb therapy such as a hospital or an infusion center. Walk-ins are also accepted at the new community sites, however walk-in patients must have a positive COVID-19 viral test.
Patients with a positive COVID-19 viral test should speak with their healthcare provider to determine whether they are eligible for mAb treatment and to discuss potential benefits and side effects.
Monoclonal antibody treatments may be used for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients who are within 10 days of the start of their symptoms, at least 12 years of age or older and weigh at least 40 kilograms (88 pounds), and are at a high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization.
The federal government has developed a searchable national map that show locations that have received shipments of monoclonal antibody therapeutics under FDA EUA authority, within the past several weeks. The scalable map is at https://protect-public.hhs.gov/pages/therapeutics-distribution.
A call center is available to answer questions and provide information related to mAb therapeutic treatments at 1-877-332-6585 (English language) or 1-877-366-0310 (Spanish language).
Eligibility criteria
In order to be eligible for mAb treatment, the patient must meet all of the following:
Have a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 (molecular/PCR or antigen)
Are within 10 days of the start of their symptoms
Are at least 12 years of age or older and weigh at least 40 kilograms (88 pounds)
Are at a high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or hospitalization
Patients are reminded the procedure takes at least two hours. This includes 30 minutes to receive the infusion, then 1.5 hours of observation.
For patients who are taking medications, they should take their regular doses before treatment. It is also OK to eat before the treatment.
