Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights Monoclonal Antibody Success in Pasco County

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Floridians in Pasco County who have recovered from COVID because they received monoclonal therapies, including Congressman Gus Bilirakis and Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson. Florida now has 25 staterun monoclonal antibody treatment sites. Hear directly from monoclonal antibody recipients about their experience with the therapy… Congressman Gus Bilirakis, representing Florida’s 12th congressional district, said, “I have diabetes and heart disease, so I always knew I was high risk. I tested positive for COVID in January, and I had flu like symptoms. When I thought about my kids, I decided not to take any chances and to get monoclonal antibodies – this is good stuff. Within 24 hours of treatment I felt great, and I’ve seen people get better within five hours of treatment. Awareness is key, and we’re going to save lives with this.” Senate

President Wilton Simpson said, “I had COVID in December, and I had a fever and chills. My doctor gave me this treatment and said, ‘24 hours from now you’re going to feel like a new person,’ and sure enough by then my symptoms had gone away. The monoclonal antibodies treatment is very effective, and if you do this you will probably save yourself a hospital stay. The Governor has made this such a big issue in Florida, and in bringing attention to this we’ve seen deaths and hospital stays decline.”

Ben Birge, a K9 Sergeant and SWAT team leader at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, said, “I got my positive test and was fluctuating between a 101 degree and 102 degree fever. My body aches made me unable to move. Two days later I was able to receive the treatment. At the site the employees were the most professional and efficient people I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with. It helped me bounce back, and by the next morning felt like a million dollars. I soon tested negative, and was back to work the following Tuesday, to perform the demanding things that we do in my profession. I can’t thank the program, the people, and the Governor enough for what it meant to me, my family, and my team.” Kyle Hatfield, who has contracted COVID twice and used monoclonals to assist with his second recovery, said, “In my recent experience, my symptoms began with a sore throat and a slight fever, and quickly my test came back positive. I had no idea what the treatment was and had not heard about it until my wife shared articles and informational videos with me. Getting the Regeneron treatment was a simple process. I expected to be a little bit more stressful with the surge in cases and knowing that healthcare workers are working tirelessly. I received the injections, stayed for an hour, and was done before 9:45 a.m. After the treatment, I felt better and back to normal by the next day…I have been sharing my experience with people I know who are concerned about getting sick and those I know who recently tested positive, and I know they’re looking forward to bouncing back just as I did.” Previously opened State of Florida monoclonal antibody sites are located at: Alachua County

Fellowship Church

16916 Northwest U.S. Highway 441 High Springs, Florida 32643

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Bay County

Bay County Fairgrounds

2230 East 15th Street

Panama City, Florida 32405

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brevard County

Kiwanis Island Park

951 Kiwanis Island Park Road

Merritt Island, Florida 32952

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Broward County

C.B. Smith Park

900 North Flamingo Road

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33028 Hours: 7 days a week; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Charlotte County

Tringali Community Center

3460 North Access Road

Englewood, Florida 34224

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Collier County

Old Dollar General

1500 Lake Trafford Road

Immokalee, Florida 34142

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Duval County

Jacksonville Public Library

304 North Main Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32202

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Escambia County

Bayview Community Center

2001 East Lloyd Street

Pensacola, Florida 32503

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Flagler County

Daytona State College

Building 3

3000 Palm Coast Parkway Southeast Palm Coast, Florida 32137

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Highlands County

Highlands County Agri-Civic Center 4509 George Boulevard

Sebring, Florida 33875

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hillsborough County

Kings Forest Park

8008 East Chelsea Street

Tampa, Florida 33610

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Lee County

Old Bonita Springs Library

26876 Pine Avenue

Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Leon County

Vacant Sears

1500 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Manatee County

Manatee Memorial Hospital Complex 206 2nd Street East

Bradenton, Florida 34208

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. –

5:00 p.m. Miami-Dade County

Tropical Park

7900 Southwest 40 Street

Miami, Florida 33155

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Okaloosa County

Northwest Florida Fairgrounds

1958 Lewis Turner Boulevard

Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547 Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Orange County

Camping World Stadium

1 Citrus Bowl Place

Orlando, Florida 32805

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Osceola County

St. Cloud Community Center

3101 17th Street

St. Cloud, Florida 34769

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Palm Beach County

West Gate Park

3691 Oswego Avenue

West Palm Beach, Florida 33409 Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pasco County

Fasano Center

11611 Denton Avenue

Hudson, Florida 34667

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. Pinellas County

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 409 South Old Coachman Road Clearwater, Florida 33765

Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Polk County

Church at the Mall

1010 East Memorial Boulevard Lakeland, Florida 33801

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. St. Lucie County

Havert L. Fenn Center

2000 Virginia Avenue

Fort Pierce, Florida 34982

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sumter County

Barnstorm Theater

2720 Brownwood Boulevard

The Villages, Florida 32163

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Volusia County

Ormond Beach Senior Center

351 Andrews Street

Ormond Beach, Florida 32174

Hours: 7 days a week, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To find locations to receive monoclonal antibody treatments around the entire state, please visit