Texas has sent an additional case of the antiviral drug remdesivir to CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital. The case was provided the the Department of State Health Services through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Spohn Hospital system received 2 cases last week .
In a press release, Governor Greg Abbott said, "The Lone Star State continues to prioritize the health of our fellow Texans and ensure that medical providers across the state have the supplies needed to respond to COVID-19. I am grateful to our partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for providing these cases of remdesivir to communities across the state of Texas. Texas will continue to act swiftly to provide for our hospitals, secure treatment for patients, and slow the spread of COVID-19."
Remdesivir is made by Gilead and has shown promise in early trials in speeding up the recovery time among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The powdered formulation allows for children hospitalized with COVID-19 to be able to receive it as treatment. Medical staff at the hospitals will determine how the drug will be used though it must be prescribed in accordance with the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization.