DeSantis unveils monoclonal antibody centers in Florida COVID-19 battle

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)  has unveiled a set of monoclonal antibody centers to help in the battle against surging COVID-19 cases in the state. 

In a statement on Thursday, DeSantis shared the state has opened a monoclonal antibody center in Jacksonville, saying that state officials will explore adding other long-term locations outside of Jacksonville. 

A monoclonal antibody is a treatment that can help prevent the COVID-19 virus from attaching to host human cells. Medical workers can provide this treatment to patients who are 12 years or older, according to the news release. 

“Monoclonal antibody treatments such as Regeneron have had a major impact in preventing hospitalizations & saved lives,” DeSantis wrote in a tweet. “We are utilizing monoclonal antibody strike teams to bring treatment directly to our vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities.”

Monoclonal antibody treatments such as Regeneron have had a major impact in preventing hospitalizations & saved lives. We are utilizing monoclonal antibody strike teams to bring treatment directly to our vulnerable populations in long-term care facilities.https://t.co/s2L5aOiqdI pic.twitter.com/fB5v1Q4Jj2

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 12, 2021

The new measure comes as Florida has become the epicenter of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., as the highly contagious delta variant is hitting the unvaccinated hard.

DeSantis has been an opponent of creating new COVID restrictions and is butting heads with state school districts over implementing mask mandates for children.

According to John Hopkins University data, 51 percent of Floridians are fully vaccinated.