TAMPA -- Tampa General Hospital says it has become the first Florida hospital to provide a new antibody treatment to a COVID-19 positive patient.

The monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab was developed by Eli Lilly. TGH physicians will give it to COVID-19 positive patients with mild or moderate symptoms on an outpatient basis before they require hospitalization.

The treatment is aimed first at high risk patients, including these categories:

Age 65 or older
Currently receiving immunosuppressive treatment
Have diabetes
Have chronic kidney disease
Have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 35

Photo: Getty Images/AFP

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