Willis-Knighton Expanding COVID Trial, Seeking Volunteers
In case you missed it, COVID-19 revealed just how innovative humans can get with the right motivation! We sped up a process that usually takes years in order to get a viable vaccine that would help us end this terrible pandemic and protect each other from this terrible disease. Not only did we get a very effective vaccine after putting the pharmaceutical world into overdrive - we got 3!
That's not the entirety of the medical progress we have made because of this disease - right here in Shreveport, our very own Willis-Knighton health system (WK) is conducting clinical trials for Regeneron monoclonal antibodies as a treatment for those with COVID-19. Willis-Knighton is one of 120 locations in the United States that are conducting the study, and the only one in our area. According to a statement from health officials with WK, the treatment has been shown to: "significantly shorten the duration of symptoms by four days and reduce hospitalization or death by 70 percent in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients."
Now, WK wants to expand testing of the radically new treatment and is looking for volunteers. If you have been diagnosed with the virus within the last 3 days, and aren't currently hospitalized - you may qualify! There are a few more qualifiers if you would like to advance medical science and save lives (plus, get treated for COVID at the same time).
Not only will you not be charged for this treatment (nor will your insurance), you can actually get paid! According to the report from KSLA, participants will receive a stipend (money) for their time and travel.
If you or someone you know could benefit from this experimental treatment, you can find out everything you need to know by visiting the official WK website here.
LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions
While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.