Bamlanivimab reduces risk of COVID-19 Infection: JAMA Study

Ever since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, healthcare workers have been trying their best to contain the infection. They are at high risk for developing the infection as close living environments, presymptomatic and asymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and frequent staff contact required to meet the care needs of frail residents contributes to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Preventive interventions are needed to protect residents and staff of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities from COVID-19 during outbreaks in their facilities. Bamlanivimab, a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2, may confer rapid protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. With this background, investigators carried out a randomised clinical trial to determine the effect of bamlanivimab on the incidence of COVID-19 among residents and staff of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities.

The study was a randomized, double-blind, single-dose, phase 3 trial that included a total of 1175 participants between August 2 to November 20, 2020. The participants were residents and staff at US skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. There was at least 1 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 index case and participants were randomized to receive a single intravenous infusion of bamlanivimab, 4200 mg (n = 588), or placebo (n = 587). The primary outcome was incidence of COVID-19 infection and mild or worse disease severity within 21 days of detection, within 8 weeks of randomization. Secondary outcomes included incidence of moderate or worse COVID-19 severity and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.