Physician experts with the Alabama Medical Association during Thursday’s live-streamed COVID-19 update will answer questions surrounding the use of monoclonal antibody treatment.

According to the association, monoclonal antibody treatments have been credited with reducing hospitalizations for COVID-19 patients. Earlier this week, the Medical Association raised concerns that the federal government is taking steps to limit access to the treatments.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week alerted state health officials that efforts to expand monoclonal antibody therapy locations have come to a halt. Additionally, HHS told state agencies that it is temporarily placing a limit on the number of orders health care providers can request, estimating that only 70% of orders will be approved.

During Thursday's Facebook Live, we will discuss and answer questions about monoclonal antibody treatments.

We will hear from Dr. Scott Harris, Dr. Aruna Arora, and expert guests, Dr. David Thrasher and Dr. Michael Saag.

We hope to see you there! pic.twitter.com/6SzpY9IZ3a

— Medical Association of the State of Alabama (@almedassoc) September 14, 2021

Currently in Alabama, there are 380 locations that provide monoclonal antibody treatment, including non-hospital locations such as physician offices and urgent care centers.

State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Medical Association president Dr. Aruna Arora, and expert guests, Dr. David Thrasher and Dr. Michael Saag will partake in the weekly pandemic update.

The Facebook Live format allows viewers to watch the discussion and submit questions. The conversation is part of a weekly Facebook Live COVID-19 update by physicians with the Medical Association that takes place every Thursday.

Thursday’s live-streamed update can be viewed on the Alabama Medical Association’s Facebook page beginning at 4:00 p.m.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL