PeaceHealth offers new therapy for COVID-19 patients

PeaceHealth is now offering monoclonal antibody IV therapy in Southwest Washington. This therapy is a promising treatment for patients at risk for severe complications from COVID-19. In Southwest Washington, PeaceHealth will initially provide the treatment at PeaceHealth Memorial Urgent Care at 3400 Main St., Vancouver. Patients must have a provider referral to be eligible for treatment.

“This is the first community monoclonal therapy clinic in all of Southwest Washington,” said Dr. Shaun Harper, chief medical officer of PeaceHealth Medical Group. “Monoclonal antibody therapy has been proven to reduce hospitalizations in about 70 percent of high-risk, COVID-positive patients. The goal of the treatment is to prevent hospitalizations, reduce viral loads and lessen symptom severity. PeaceHealth is committed to providing access to this potentially life-saving therapy to anyone in our community who could benefit.”

Harper said the treatment is not a cure and does not provide long-term immunity against COVID-19. “The best protection against COVID-19 continues to be immunization with our safe and effective vaccines,” Harper added.

Monoclonal antibody therapy received Emergency Use Authorization from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2020 for certain groups of non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A form of immunotherapy traditionally used for patients with cancer and other diseases, monoclonal antibody treatment has shown to be very effective for patients who have mild to moderate symptoms from COVID-19 but a high risk of complications.

PeaceHealth is offering the combo drug therapy REGEN-COV (Carsirivimab/Imdevimab). Patients receive the antibodies through a 20-minute intravenous infusion followed by an hour of observation.

Monoclonal antibody treatment may be appropriate for patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms or those with known contact to COVID-19 and a high risk of developing serious complications. It may be given to anyone 12 or older who also meets at least one of the following criteria:

• 65 years of age or older
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic lung disease, including COPD, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension
• BMI above 25 or, if age 12-17, a BMI greater than 85th percentile for age and gender based on CDC growth charts
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pregnant
• Diabetes
• Sickle cell disease
• Receiving immunosuppressive treatment or have an immunosuppressive disease
• Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, or other conditions that confer medical complexity (for example, genetic or metabolic syndromes and severe congenital abnormalities)

For more information about the monoclonal antibody therapy, visit regeneron.com/downloads/treatment-covid19-eua-fact-sheet-for-patient.pdf, or contact your primary care physician.

City of Washougal receives clean audit

The city of Washougal has received a clean audit report for the 11th consecutive year.

A recent Washington State Auditor’s Office report indicates that city operations complied in all material respects with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources during the 2020 fiscal year, according to a news release issued by the city.

“Independent audits provide essential accountability and transparency for city operations,” according to the news release. “This information is valuable to management, the governing body and public stakeholders when assessing the government’s stewardship of public resources. The independent audit reports on the city’s compliance with applicable requirements.”

The city’s finance department management is responsible for ensuring compliance and adequate safeguarding of public resources from fraud, loss or abuse, including the design, implementation and maintenance of internal controls relevant to these objectives.

The Washington State Auditor’s Office independently serves Washington citizens by promoting accountability, fiscal integrity, and openness in state and local government, and striving to ensure the efficient and effective use of public resources.