Gov. DeSantis opens monoclonal antibody treatment site in Polk County

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of two new monoclonal antibody treatment sites on Saturday including one in Polk County.

Officials said the new sites in Polk and Manatee counties have the capacity to serve more than 300 patients per day and will be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Polk County monoclonal antibody treatment site is located in Lakeland at the Church at the Mall on 1010 East Memorial Blvd.

WATCH: New monoclonal antibody treatment site for COVID-19 opens in Central Florida

The site in Manatee County is in Bradenton at the Manatee Memorial Hospital Complex on 206 2nd St. East.

Florida has opened 12 monoclonal antibody treatment sites, which are located at:

Bay County

• Bay County Fairgrounds

2230 East 15th St.

Panama City, Florida 32405

Hours: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Brevard County

• Kiwanis Island Park

951 Kiwanis Island Park Rd.

Merritt Island, Florida 32952

Hours: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Broward County

• C.B. Smith Park

900 North Flamingo Rd.

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

READ: Coronavirus: What is monoclonal antibody treatment and who should get it?

Duval County

• Jacksonville Public Library

304 North Main St.

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hillsborough County

• Kings Forest Park

8008 East Chelsea St.

Tampa, Florida 33610

Hours: Monday - Friday; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Lee County

• Old Bonita Springs Library

26876 Pine Ave.

Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Miami-Dade County

• Tropical Park

7900 Southwest 40th St.

Miami, Florida 33155

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Okaloosa County

• Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Blvd.

Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Orange County

• Camping World Stadium

1 Citrus Bowl Pl.

Orlando, Florida 32805

Hours: Seven days a week; 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Palm Beach County

• West Gate Park

3691 Oswego Ave.

West Palm Beach, Florida 33409

Hours: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pasco County

• Fasano Center

11611 Denton Ave.

Hudson, Florida 34667

Hours: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m.

Volusia County

• Ormond Beach Senior Center

351 Andrews St.

Ormond Beach, Florida 32174

Hours: Seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WATCH: Brevard County officials encourage use of new COVID treatment option to reduce hospitalizations

Officials said monoclonal antibody treatments can be prescribed by health care providers to people 12 years of age and older who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are at high risk for severe illness and hospitalization.

There is currently a standing order in Florida signed by the state surgeon general that allows patients to receive this treatment without a prescription or referral if administered by an eligible health care provider, officials said.

Officials said such referrals are not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites and treatments are available at no cost to patients.

Health officials said the antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond effectively to the virus.

More information on monoclonal antibody treatments can be found at floridahealthcovid19.gov.

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