No shortage of COVID-19 treatments, doctors say

ORLANDO, Fla. — As COVID-19 hospitalizations in the United States exceed 100,000, medical centers in Central Florida say they’ve maintained adequate supply levels of the common therapies used to fight off the virus.

Coronavirus patients admitted into hospitals are often given some sort of medical treatment.

READ: Florida reports almost 10K new COVID-19 cases, 97 virus-related deaths

The antiviral medication Remdesivir has become one of the most recognizable and reliable.

“A lot of positive anecdotes from our infectious diseases doctors,” says Dr. George Ralls of Orlando Health.

However, during Florida’s Summer coronavirus surge, the drug was in short supply.

The state received an emergency shipment after a push from local lawmakers.

Now, doctors say there appears to be plenty on-hand, in addition to other treatments like the steroid they often administer to hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

READ: Coronavirus: CDC shortens quarantine from 14 to 10 days, 7 with negative test

“We have the dexamethasone, we have the PPE, and the staff has been trained,” says Florida Safety Net Hospital Group CEO Justin Senior.

Compared to the summer surge, Senior says they have some advantages this time around.

“We are not in a situation like we were yet back in July...there were nearly 10,000 patients.”

Today, the hospital census shows half that number.

Also working to their advantage are some newer treatments that have made their way to local hospitals.

“Like the Regeneron and Eli Lilly...antibody treatments that may be very effective,” Senior says.

READ: COVID-19 vaccine is safe, AdventHealth doctor says

Ultimately, Senior says he’s confident his hospitals- which include Halifax Health and Orlando Health- can handle what could come.

“I think we’re in a good position, but you never really know with this virus. So it’s a matter of preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”

Cox Media Group