St. Luke’s University Health Network has infused its 500th COVID-19 outpatient with monoclonal antibodies.

One of those is Joe Kitchell, of Bethlehem Township, a part-time paramedic in New Jersey.

Monoclonal antibody therapy at St. Luke’s has helped all Lehigh Valley hospitals avoid being overwhelmed during the coronavirus (COVID-19) surge, allowing certain high-risk patients to recover quickly in their residences.

Monoclonal antibodies, which were granted emergency authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, block the virus’ attachment and entry into human cells.

Infusion has been found to be effective in preventing the need for hospitalization in higher-risk patients, including those who are 65 years of age or older and whose infection, identified early, does not yet require supplemental oxygen.

Kitchell, 52, came down with COVID symptoms Christmas Day.

His fever, cough, headache and body aches alerted the veteran first-responder that he might be COVID-sick. A test confirmed that two days later.

In less than a week, through his professional work connections in the medical field, Kitchell received an infusion of the Eli Lilly monoclonal antibodies at the St. Luke’s Easton Campus. The next morning, he was feeling better: headache gone, increased energy but still with a slight cough (he has asthma).

The Bethlehem Township resident is back to transporting patients to St. Luke’s Easton for various illness and injuries, including scores critically ill with COVID-19, and grateful to St. Luke’s and his medical friends who encouraged him and arranged for his monoclonal antibody infusion.

“I think it’s a great treatment and give St. Luke’s a lot of credit for opening infusion centers in the community,” said Kitchell, adding, “I feel great and lucky to have gotten the treatment.”

St. Luke’s began using monoclonal antibodies, which received emergency use authorization from the FDA, just before Thanksgiving in its Easton and Warren County, N.J., facilities.

Wilda Cortez-Sanchez, of Allentown, was back to cooking and cleaning a few days after having her treatment with the Lilly antibody at St. Luke’s Easton in early January.

Her fever was gone and her energy, smell and taste and appetite had returned.

“I feel very good. The virus is gone,” said Cortez-Sanchez, whose mother and husband contracted COVID-19.

Her primary care physician, Pavel Terreros, MD, had referred his patient to the hospital’s infusion center for the treatment, as he has with more than 20 of his other patients from his downtown Allentown office.

“Everyone who had the infusion improved within 24 to 48 hours after treatment and no one was hospitalized,” Terreros said, adding, “It’s really working.”

Infectious disease specialist Peter Ender, MD, who helps run the COVID-19 treatment programs at St. Luke’s University Health Network, said, “Monoclonal antibodies are an important outpatient therapy that we know has benefit in keeping people out of the hospital.”