AUSTIN (KVEO) — Governor Greg Abbott has announced that the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will be distributing the antiviral drug remdesivir to four hospitals across the Rio Grande Valley.
A release states four cases will be distributed.
“The State of Texas is working swiftly to ensure our hospitals and medical providers have the resources they need to treat patients diagnosed with COVID-19,” said Governor Abbott in the release. “I thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for sending these cases of remdesivir to the state of Texas. Not only will this drug treat patients throughout the state, but it will especially bolster our mitigation and treatment efforts in communities experiencing surges in COVID-19 cases.”
According to the press release, remdesivir has shown to speed up the process in the recovery of COVID-19 patients in early trials.
The distribution is based on the number of patients in hospital in need of intensive care in each region.
Medical staff at each hospital will determine how the drug will be used, though it must be prescribed in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization, allowing for the treatment of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in adults and children hospitalized with severe disease, such as those in intensive care. Preliminary results from a clinical trial showed the average recovery time among patients who received remdesivir was 11 days versus 15 days with a placebo. The supply is part of a donation from drug maker Gilead.
The release states Cameron and Hidalgo County are the counties included in the distribution.
