Chicago-area hospitals are struggling to keep up with an increased demand for monoclonal antibody treatments as COVID-19 cases surge around the city, the Chicago Tribune reported Dec. 15.
Some providers said systems don't have enough supplies on hand while others said staffing shortages are limiting the ability to administer the treatment. Other providers, like Ametia Health, which has 19 hospitals in Illinois, have been able to give the treatment to any qualifying patients thus far.
Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 12, the state allocated 8,638 courses of monoclonal antibodies to more than 100 providers, with Innovative Care receiving nearly 500 for its two locations, according to a recent health department memo to providers.
The Tribune report said the state takes into consideration which areas are in greatest need as well as how much a facility has been using when deciding where to send treatments during shortages.