New cases of Covid-19 are on the rise in many parts of the country, and Florida state health officials reported 10,105 new cases on Sunday -- that’s the largest single-day increase since July 25th. Over the past seven days, the single-day average has increased to 5,887. The average number of daily deaths reported over the past week grew to 57 a day. There have now been 885,201reported cases of the virus in Florida since the pandemic began, and 17,734 people have died here.
As the outbreak continues researchers and doctors continue working to find new ways to treat the disease. Since the end of April Lee Health has been testing the use of convalescent plasma. It’s taken from the blood of people who have recovered from Covid-19 and then infused into people who are sick to hopefully reduce the severity of the disease.
We speak with Lee Health infectious disease doctor, Doug Brust, to get an update on its use, and to learn about a new monoclonal antibody treatment from Eli Lilly that just received an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration called Bamlanivimab.
To donate convalescent plasma email COVID.plasma@LeeHealth.org or call 239-343-2332. (Email preferred.)
