Antibody therapy site for treatment of COVID-19 opens
A monoclonal infusion site offering COVID-19 antibody therapy has opened at 1111 Columbus St., Suite 5000, with the support of the state, the Kern County Public Health Services Department and Kern Medical.
The therapy is intended to help reduce symptoms of COVID-19 and keep people out of the hospital if they have recently tested positive for the disease.
Open to everyone irrespective of health insurance or immigration status, the site can provide up to 25 treatments per day. It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Antibodies respond to viruses and other germs that cause illnesses. The monoclonal antibody available at the new site targets the virus that causes COVID-19.
The county and Kern Medical recommend anyone interested in antibody therapy consult a healthcare provider first, though patients may self-refer. They said the treatment is authorized for anyone at high risk for progression to severe infection who recently had a positive
COVID-19 test, experienced first symptoms in the last 10 days, is 12 years or older and weighs more than 88 pounds.
For information or to make an appointment, call 661-326-5206. Information is also available online at kernpublichealth.com.
Amtrak service out of Bakersfield is being expanded starting Monday as part of a restoration of services cut when ridership dropped during the early part of the pandemic.
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority announced Thursday it will add a sixth daily round-trip between Bakersfield and Sacramento. Restored service on Train 702 will depart Sacramento at 6:26 a.m. and arrive in Bakersfield at 11:57 a.m. Train 703 will leave Bakersfield at 6:12 p.m. at pull into Sacramento at 11:35 p.m.
With the restoration of the sixth daily round-trip, the SJJPA is increasing the frequency of its Thruway Bus service. There will be three additional buses offering service for four additional daily round-trips along Route 1, between Bakersfield and Los Angeles, and the Santa Monica Pier Thruway Bus stop at 1532 Second St. in Santa Monica. An additional bus will serve Route 19 between Bakersfield and San Bernardino.
Passengers will continue to be required to wear face masks on Amtrak San Joaquins trains, buses and stations.
Information and travel timetables are available online at amtraksanjoaquins. com.
On Saturday, the Kern Wheelmen Cycling Club will host its annual Vickie Rigby Memorial Spooktacular Cycling Event starting at the Pyles Boys Picnic Grounds at Lake Ming.
The supported ride will include rest stops and refreshments along with a nice Tex-Mex meal at the end of the ride at the picnic grounds.
Cycling routes for all levels are available for anyone interested in riding.
The family fun ride ($30) goes around Lake Ming, passes California Living Museum to Hart Park and returns. It is 10 miles with 300 feet of climb.
The Frightening 40 ($60) starts at Lake Ming and follows Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Road to Bena Road then follows Bena to the turn-around at Cal-Bodfish Road. It measures 41 miles with 2,300 feet of climb.
Take the Morbid Metric ($75) to Alfred Harrell Highway/Comanche Road, Bena Road and Cal-Bodfish Road to Caliente, heading 6 miles beyond Caliente to turn around. That route runs 65 miles with 3,900 feet of climb.
At 91 miles and 5,900 feet of climb, Nightmare 90 ($85) lives up to its name, following that path to Caliente then through Twin Oaks to the turn-around near the Twin Oaks School.
The Horrible Lions’ Trail 100 ($110) takes a longer trail out to Caliente before heading back to the lake for 95 miles and 7,200 feet of climb.
Hideous Breckenridge 100 ($110), measuring 106 miles and 10,000 feet of climb, goes to Breckenridge Road and ascends the mountain then descends into Walker Basin on the far side, and continues to Twin Oaks, Caliente and back to Lake Ming.
Register from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Rusty’s Pizza at 1401 Wible Road or on site at the race on Saturday morning.
The Golden Empire Gleaners will hold its second annual Rhythm & Roots fundraiser on Nov. 4.
Presented by Fastrip, the event at the Speakeasy Bar & Grill at 1933 will include dinner, raffle prizes and live music by country artist John Pemberton.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Golden Empire Gleaners’ mission to alleviate hunger and provide food for individuals and families in need in Kern County.
“With the support of our sponsors and community partners, the Golden Empire Gleaners is able to serve an average of 18,000 local residents each year,” Tina Burke, board president of the Golden Empire Gleaners, said in a news release. “This fundraiser allows us to secure the funds necessary to provide food to some of Kern County’s most vulnerable residents including children, seniors, veterans and those who are housing insecure.”
The fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 4 in the outdoor covered garden of Speakeasy Bar & Grill at 1933, 7900 Downing Ave.
Tickets are $125, available at goldenempiregleaners. com. Visit the website or call 661-324-CROP (2767) for more information on sponsorship opportunities as well.