Wasco COVID-19 Death; Monoclonal Antibodies Treatment at MCMC; Vax Report
Sadly, we are reporting another death in Wasco County from complications of COVID-19. A woman died Sept. 11 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center. She tested positive two days earlier. It is the 40th death for the county.
Monoclonal antibodies: MCMC has been offering monoclonal antibody treatments for several weeks now. The hospital has treated about 30 people. The treatment is available to those who are at high risk of severe disease and have had symptoms for 10 days or less.
In clinical trials, monoclonal antibody treatments reduced the risk of hospitalization 50 percent. The antibodies mimic the body’s own immune response to the coronavirus.
Vaccine numbers: Vaccination remains the best tool against COVID. In Wasco, Sherman and Gilliam counties, over 27,200 doses have been administered.
Last week’s vaccine counts were:
North Central Public Health District: 47 for the week, 16,628 cumulatively
One Community Health: 36 for the week, 3,755 cumulatively
Mid-Columbia Medical Center: 51 for the week; 1,849 cumulatively.
Another 4,440 doses were administered by other entities earlier, for a total (not including pharmacy doses) of 27,276. In Wasco County, 72.4 percent of those 18 and up have had at least one dose. In Sherman County, it’s 65.3 percent and in Gilliam County, 49.1 percent.
(For more information, please visit COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon, contact North Central Public Health District at (541) 506-2600, visit us on the web at www.ncphd.org or find us on Facebook.)