COVID-19 Treatment

Getting a diagnosis of COVID-19 can cause some uneasy feelings, but the good news is most experience mild illness and can recover at home without medical care.

If you have possible or confirmed COVID-19, below are some things you can do to take care of yourself and protect others in your household:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.
• Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your doctor immediately.
• Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. If possible, use a separate bathroom. If you must be around others, wear a mask.

Learn more from the CDC.

How can I get tested for COVID-19? 

If you would like to be tested for COVID-19 or be evaluated for treatment, you can visit a Banner Urgent Care or you can contact your primary doctor to request this evaluation. (If you are in Arizona, find a testing location near you.)  

Learn more about COVID-19 testing. 

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

Outpatient treatment is now available for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

What is monoclonal antibody treatment?

Bamlanivimab from Eli Lilly and casirivimab/indevimab from Regeneron are both monoclonal antibodies that are infused directly into a vein in an outpatient setting. These antibodies are protective proteins that help the body clear the virus faster and reduce symptoms when given soon after diagnosis. Banner Health is currently providing these treatments based on a referral from your doctor or urgent care physician.

What are the criteria to qualify?

In order to qualify to receive this treatment, you must test positive for COVID-19 and be less than 10 days from onset of symptoms, plus meet one of the criteria below:

• Over 65 years old
• Over 55 years old with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or COPD/other chronic respiratory disease
• Over 18 years old with comorbidities such as diabetes, immunosuppressive disease, chronic kidney disease or obesity   

Who is not eligible for this treatment?

Individuals would not be eligible for this treatment if they are: 

• Hospitalized for COVID-19 
• Requiring oxygen therapy due to COVID-19
• Requiring an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity
• Allergic to any of the ingredients in the medication 

How can I get this treatment?

If you think you meet the criteria mentioned above, please contact your primary doctor or schedule an appointment with a Banner Urgent Care teleheatlh provider for a referral to one of our Banner Health infusion centers. If your healthcare provider would like to learn more about Banner Health’s monoclonal antibody treatment program, please have them contact us directly or learn about our Physician Treatment Information.

If you have already discussed your positive COVID result with a healthcare provider but would still like to be evaluated for treatment, you can either refer  your provider to this website or you can schedule a telehealth or video visit appointment with a Banner Urgent Care provider.

If you develop symptoms of COVID, seek care quickly. This will help your healthcare provider evaluate if you are a candidate for monoclonal antibody treatment. 

You can also schedule an appointment with Banner Urgent Care to be tested for COVID-19 and be evaluated for this treatment. 

What can I expect on the day I receive treatment? 

After you check in, you will have an intravenous catheter (IV) placed for medication infusion. Your provider will monitor your vital signs both during your treatment. 

The full treatment appointment will last between 3.5 and 4 hours. Please know that during this time you will need to stay in the infusion suite and will not be able to walk around the building. 

FOR PHYSICIANS

How can I refer a patient for this treatment? 

Banner Health is accepting referrals for monoclonal antibody infusion therapy. If you have patient who may be eligible for treatment, you can refer a patient to one of our infusion centers for treatment. 

Learn more about how you can refer patients for this treatment.