MS is very low on antibody infusions that fight omicron as COVID testing expands on Coast
A “phenomenal” increase in COVID-19 omicron variant cases has driven up the demand for testing in Mississippi, with positive cases and hospitalizations up dramatically across the state.
Calling the outbreak a fifth wave of the coronavirus in the state, Mississippi State Department of Health announced on Tuesday an increased number of testing appointment slots in some county health offices, including at most on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, to keep up with a heightened demand that might lessen supplies.
The fifth wave comes as the state is experiencing a short supply in monoclonal antibody infusions, a COVID treatment widely used across the vaccine hesitant Mississippi Gulf Coast.
At a press conference Tuesday, State Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs urged residents to get vaccinated and social distance as the first defense against the omicron variant — which is around 50% more infectious than the delta strain — as the potentially limited number of COVID tests and lack of treatment could further increase spread.
“We’re in the midst of a peak of transmission that we’ve never seen, most likely, this whole pandemic,” Dobbs said.
“The point of this is to survive and thrive. And if we have to make some moderate changes to our behaviors just for a couple of weeks just to survive and thrive, it makes a lot of sense.”
Where to get a COVID test on the Coast
Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River county health departments will now be open Monday through Friday with expanded COVID testing slots. Stone County increased their hours of operation from half to full days and also increased appointments to five days a week. George County is not listed as having available COVID testing appointments.
Additional testing locations across the MS Gulf Coast are at pharmacies, local hospitals and clinics, among others.
If testing is unavailable, Byers said, Mississippians should stick to a longer quarantine period than the recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that recommends a five-day period of isolation for asymptomatic individuals who test positive for COVID.
“If you can’t get testing, let’s opt for the longer quarantine period if you’re concerned about it. If you do go out and about, especially after those five days, wear a mask. Let’s do what we can to protect people,” Byers said.
Here’s where you can get tested.
Hancock County Health Department
856 Highway 90
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520-8602
Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 228-467-4510
Harrison County Health Department
1102 45th Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501
Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 228-863-1036
Jackson County Health Department
4600 Lt. Eugene J. Majure Drive
Pascagoula, MS 39581
Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 228-762-1117
Pearl River County Health Department
7547 Highway 11 North
Carriere, MS 39426
Open: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 601-798-6212
Stone County Health Department
1510 Central Avenue East
Wiggins, MS 39577
Open: Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 601-928-5293
State short on antibody infusions
Mississippi is short on the widely used monoclonal antibody COVID treatments as many of the infusions do not work well in fighting the omicron variant, which is now the majority of cases in the state.
State epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said Mississippi recently received 132 doses of the Regeneron product and 110 doses of the Bamlanivimab product, which are the two antibody treatments proven ineffective against the new COVID strain.
Those infusions will be used against some of the delta cases the state is still seeing.
MSDH also has 126 doses of the one monoclonal treatment that is effective against omicron, which will be dispersed to severely immunocompromised patients.
“We’re encouraging the hospitals to look at those most vulnerable patients, individuals who are severely immunocompromised to utilize that very precious resource that we have right now,” he said.
Monoclonals should not be used instead of getting a COVID vaccine, Byers and Dobbs said, especially during the shortages.
“Vaccination is plan A and monoclonals are a back-up. You don’t depend on your back-up quarterback when you’ve got your main guy up front,” Dobbs said. “So please get your booster if you haven’t had it. It’s saved so many lives and it’s one of the reasons Mississippi has struggled so much with our mortality rates is because we’re woefully undervaccinated.”
Vaccination rates in Mississippi remain some of the lowest in the country as omicron spreads.
Currently, 48% of Mississippians have received both shots, with Harrison County at 44%, and Jackson County at 43% and Hancock at 35%. Sixty-two percent of the country is fully vaccinated and 32% are boosted. Twenty-nine percent of Mississippi is boosted.
Initial observations on how omicron patients responded to COVID vaccinations have found some breakthrough infections in those who were fully vaccinated with two shots, but not among those who had also received their booster shots.
Dobbs also recommended CDC guidelines of social distancing and mask wearing to prevent omicron spread while COVID treatments remain sparse.
“It’s incumbent upon every person to take the personal responsibility to prevent transmission to themselves and to their families and to their loved ones while we have this transmission going on,” Dobbs said.
This article is supported by the Journalism and Public Information Fund, a fund of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 5:50 AM.
