More Remdesivir is heading to East Texas

TYLER — Several East Texas hospitals are preparing to receive increased cases of remdesivir. According to our news partner KETK, Governor Greg Abbott announced additional administrations will be available of the anti-malarial drug, with the goal of treating COVID-19 patients. Smith and Gregg County are two of the counties preparing for the shipment.

“As Texas faces an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we remain committed to providing healthcare professionals with the resources they need to respond to this surge and support COVID-19 patients,” said Gov. Abbott. “The State of Texas is grateful to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their continued assistance to equip Texas hospitals with Remdesivir.”

Five hospitals across East Texas will receive the drug and medical staff at each facility will determine how to distribute the drug. Preliminary results from a clinical trial showed the average recovery time among patients who received Remdesivir was 11 days versus 15 days with a placebo.