SVMH sees positive results with COVID-19 treatments

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System said it has been using Remdesivir and convalescent plasma to treat patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms and has seen positive results.

Last month, the FDA gave emergency authorization for the intravenous antiviral medication Remdesivir, and SVMHS infectious disease specialist Dr. Mahendra Poudelsaid some patients have shown positive results similar to studies that showed the medication could reduce the length of hospital stay by two to four days.

Infectious disease specialists say both treatments can help improve the outcomes for some patients based on clinical trials.

“Remdesivir and convalescent plasma are not a magic bullet,” says Poudel. “We use these therapies on hospitalized patients based on guidance from the state and strict criteria developed with the Monterey County Health Department and our partner hospitals.” 

Convalescent plasma is a blood product processed by Vitalant, according to SVMHS. It is donated by people who have recovered from COVID-19, and it contains antibodies that can help others recover faster.

The supplies are limited, but SVMHS says the most powerful tools found so far are prevention through social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand washing.