Nevada approved the distribution of approximately $20 million in federal funds for COVID-19 treatments. | pixabay
Nevada approved the distribution of approximately $20 million in federal funds for COVID-19 treatments. | pixabay
The state of Nevada approved the distribution of approximately $20 million in federal funds to be used for COVID-19 treatments on Dec 21, according to KSNV.
The Interim Finance Committee of the Nevada Legislature provided $19.6 million of these funds to the state's Division of Public and Behavioral Health, according to Gov. Steve Sisolak's office.
“Today, NV made a major investment using American Rescue Plan funding to support COVID-19 treatments as well as an intermediate care facility for youth in Clark County," Sisolak announced on Twitter. "Thank you to Interim Finance Committee of the Nevada Legislature for approving the funds.”
The funds, made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act, will be used to expand access to monoclonal antibody treatment, oral antiviral medicine and freestanding treatment centers, KSNV reported.
"Treatments are incredibly important to Nevadans who have contracted COVID-19 to lessen the impact of the virus, and we are incredibly grateful for the resources to make the treatments more widely available," Sisolak said in a press release.
The use of monoclonal antibodies to treat individuals who test positive for COVID-19 has reportedly lowered the risk of hospitalization and mortality caused by the infection by as much as 70%.
The treatment is currently accessible at 48 locations around Nevada and is free to patients.
However, the governor's office notes that the expense of administering the medicine is high.
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