Antibody Drug May Help Prevent COVID-19 Illness in Nursing Homes

An antibody medication may help prevent COVID-19 illness in long-term care facilities, according to the manufacturer Eli Lilly. In a study conducted by the Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, staff and residents who took the drug, bamlanivimab, were 57% less likely to develop COVID-19 than those who received a placebo. When only residents were evaluated, the rate of infection decreased by 80%. The study included 1,000 participants. Long-term care facilities have experienced some of the highest and deadliest rates of COVID-19 infection. Public health experts suggest bamlanivimab may help protect this highly vulnerable population while the nation struggles to get enough Americans vaccinated to obtain herd immunity. Click here to read more.