OCALA, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday touted Florida’s promotion of monoclonal antibodies as a COVID-19 treatment and pledged that the state won’t be shutting down schools or businesses because of increasing infections.
DeSantis was joined by state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo for a news conference in Ocala in Central Florida, which came as the state has reported rising COVID cases in recent days.
“We are committed to doing the monoclonal,” he said, speaking at a podium with the words “Early Treatment Saves Lives” at Ocala Regional Medical Center. “We will make sure the dose sites are available.”
Ladapo said his office is urging clinicians across the state to send high-risk COVID patients to get those treatments quickly as the virus, particularly the omicron variant, spreads.
He and DeSantis also spoke about a new AstraZeneca monoclonal antibody product for immunocompromised patients that is beginning to come available.
DeSantis added that Florida will not be taking shutdown measures that are being seen in other states as COVID infections rise.
“We are not going to indulge in any of the insanity that you are starting to see again in other parts of the country,” he said.
Watch a replay of the news conference below:
Ladapo called universities in northeast shutting down amid case surges a “failed strategy.”
DeSantis also jabbed at the Biden administration, saying Florida’s job growth is making up a disproportionately high portion of the nation’s new job numbers.
For information on monoclonal antibody sites in Florida, click here.