Gov. Cooper visits monoclonal antibody treatment center in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper visited Cape Fear Clinic in Wilmington to see their COVID-19 operations. The clinic offers COVID-19 tests, vaccinations, and monoclonal antibody treatments.

The clinic is one of 186 facilities in the state and the only one in Wilmington offering monoclonal antibody infusions for COVID-19. Chief Medical Officer Kent Locklear said they found themselves in a unique position to help Wilmington’s uninsured and low income population.

“Our patients were at significant risk,” Locklear said, “and would need need our services more now than ever before.”

Cape Fear Clinic has vaccinated more than 2,000 patients in New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick, and Columbus counties. Now, they offer the infusions to anyone up to 10 days after first experiencing COVID symptoms.

“Cape Fear Clinic makes the service available to anyone who meets the clinical guidelines regardless of income, insurance, place of residence, or really any other reason,” Locklear explained.

By the end of this week, Locklear said they will have given 100 people monoclonal antibody infusions with no complications.

“A lot of people are able to get this treatment now,” said Governor Cooper. “People are beginning to realize how important it is from the evidence that continues to come down about how better people feel when they’ve had it is strong.”

Michael Murray, a registered nurse with Cape Fear Clinic sees about 35 patients a week. He hasn’t seen a single complication or hospitalization from COVID after they’re treated.

“Most everyone after about two days start feeling better,” Murray explained. “And that’s the goal. The goal was don’t get sicker and keep people out of the hospital.”

The clinic provides treatments, testing, vaccines, and education all in one location.

Health experts believe the treatment if taken early can decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death.

“While vaccines are our best tool in the fight against COVID-19, monoclonal antibody treatment is available if you do get infected,” Gov. Cooper said. “This treatment will help us save more lives as we work to turn the corner on the pandemic.”

“The healthcare workers at Cape Fear are doing an outstanding job of serving their community through this pandemic with vaccines, testing, and treatment,” said NCDHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “We can ease their burden – and protect ourselves and our community – by getting vaccinated now.” She continued, “If you do have COVID, there is a treatment and it could save your life.”

“Cape Fear Clinic is our communities’ only full-service free or charitable clinic, serving the low-income and uninsured from Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties since 1991. We provide primary and specialty care, mental health services, and have an integrated full-time, full-service pharmacy,” said John Devaney, CEO of Cape Fear Clinic. “Since January, we have provided over 2,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and 89 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Infusions to those in our community.”

Cape Fear Clinic is a nonprofit, 501c3, charitable clinic that provides regular medical care to low-income and Medicaid patients. The clinic administers around 50 monoclonal antibody appointments each week, providing treatment free of charge to eligible patients.

On Sept. 2, Cooper signed an executive order expanding access to monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19.