Banner University Hospital offering free COVID-19 treatment

Published on 01/03/2021 • Posted in

Dear Willo neighbors,
 
Please take the time to read this.  It could save your life and the lives of your family and friends.
 
Only one Covid-19 treatment is designed to keep people out of the hospital: monoclonal antibodies. But as of today, only 20% of the monoclonal antibodies distributed by the federal government have been used.  Most hospitals didn’t qualify to get the drug, and many overburdened hospitals are not offering it. 
 
The Infusion Center at Banner University Hospital (formerly Good Sam) has been allocated a supply of monoclonal antibodies.  And they’re eager for us to have have access it we qualify.  (Remember, it was a monoclonal antibody that stopped President Trump’s Covid.)
 
The drug, bamlanivimab, is making headlines after getting emergency use authorization from U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for some Covid-19 patients.  (Don’t worry, nobody else can pronounce it, either.  Sounding it out, it’s bam luh NI vi mab.  But just say “Bamlan” and healthcare workers — and even Google — will understand you.)
 
IMPORTANT: Bamlanivimab is only for people within the first 10 days of Covid exposure.  It is NOT for advanced cases of the virus.  Banlanivimab is administered as an out-patient infusion. It takes about an hour.  
 
The federal government will pay for the infusion if you meet the following criteria: Diabetes, Immune compromised, Receiving chemotherapy, Heart disease, Hypertension, Chronic kidney disease, BMI of 35 or over, COPD at age 55 or over, or if you’re age 65 or older.
 
All you need is a positive Covid 19 test and a referral to the Warp Speed Clinic at Banner University Infusion Center, 1111 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, 85006. 
 
The quickest way to do this is to get Covid-tested at a Banner Urgent Care as soon as you think you’ve been exposed.  Banner Urgent Care has all the paperwork ready to refer you to the Warp Speed Clinic at the Infusion Center.  Or if you’d rather see your PCP for a diagnosis, you can do that, too.  They just have to get the paperwork done so you can get your shot within 10 days.  
 
I feel so fortunate to have this health resource in our neighborhood.  I pray none of us ever have to use it, but it’s rare opportunity. And it’s right here.
 
Your Willo neighbor,
 
Sandra Michael