LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, along with the state's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Gary Anthone held a press conference to provide an update on the state's response to the Coronavirus pandemic Tuesday.
The state remains in its "orange zone" of restrictions as COVID hospitalizations across the state near 1,000.
When it comes to fighting increasing hospitalization rates, Anthone, said the state should receive a shipment of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) treatments this week, which utilizes lab-created antibodies that are delivered via a single IV treatment.
He said the treatment has been shown to prevent progression of the virus and is normally given on an outpatient basis during the first days following a positive diagnosis.
Those who receive the mAbs treatment have been about 5 to 10 percent less likely to be hospitalized, Anthone said.
People at long-term care facilities and high-risk patients will be made a priority when using the mAbs treatments.
Demand the new treatment exceeded what was available.
Anthone mentioned other successful treatments for Coronavirus including Remdesivir, Dexamethasone, convalescent plasm, monoclonal antibodies and even Vitamin D.
"That Vitamin D level needs to be up in the normal range even before you come into the hospital. So it's something that they're now saying it's best you use right now," Dr. Anthone said.
See also: CHI Health officials give update on staffing and capacity
Watch below or on our Facebook page
3 News Now reporter Ruta Ulcinaite provided live updates via Twitter:
RELATED: Nebraska still in "orange phase" of restrictions, medical experts plead for more to be done
ALSO SEE: Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announces statewide mask mandate effective at 12:00 a.m. Tuesday
Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.
Get the latest news and weather delivered straight to your inbox.