Technologies

Regen-COV might work before COVID exposure, trial shows: What to know about monoclonal antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies can greatly reduce hospitalization rates in people most at risk of severe COVID-19.

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

Monoclonal antibody therapy for COVID-19 is available to people in the US for free who are at higher risk of severe disease in the first few days of their illness, or after they’ve been exposed to the coronavirus. The treatment — lab-made antibodies given to a person that help their immune system stop the infection from spreading — has proven to be a key tool for preventing the coronavirus from turning into severe illness. Preliminary research shows the treatment reduces risk for hospitalization or death by about 70%.

Now, early research is showing the treatment may benefit people much earlier on, before they’ve even been exposed to the coronavirus. Regeneron, one of the drug-makers of the antibody treatments, announced Monday that its drug was 81.6% effective in preventing COVID-19 in a trial period of two to eight months post-treatment. The drug in the study, which is called Regen-COV and was given to participants in a series of four injections, is the same drug as the one currently authorized for use on at-risk people who are in the early stages of COVID-19, and on some people who’ve been exposed to it.

Dr. Myron Cohen, who leads the monoclonal antibody efforts for the National Institutes of Health’s COVID Prevention Network, said in a news release Monday that the results from the drug-maker are «particularly important to those who do not respond to COVID-19 vaccines, including people who are immunocompromised.»

Regen-COV isn’t authorized yet for use in anyone who hasn’t been exposed to or is sick with COVID-19. A few monoclonal antibody therapies, including the one made by Regeneron, have emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration and should be accessible in doctors’ offices or even some state-run clinics, as seen in states such as Florida and Texas.

Importantly, monoclonal antibodies don’t replace the role of the COVID-19 vaccines in preventing hospitalization and death. According to data from August by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people were more than 11 times more likely to die from COVID-19 and about 6 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than fully vaccinated people.

A large number of Americans could be eligible for monoclonal antibody treatment if they test positive for COVID-19 (a smaller number would be eligible for the treatment without a positive test, and only a confirmed exposure). For example, everyone age 65 or older, people who are overweight, people with heart, liver, or kidney disease and many more would be eligible for the treatment in the early days of their symptoms.

Here’s what we know now about COVID-19 monoclonal antibodies.

What are monoclonal antibodies, and how do they work?

Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that work by binding to bacteria, cancer cells or viruses the way natural antibodies do, stopping them from infecting more cells. The first monoclonal antibody therapy was approved more than 30 years ago and has been used for other illnesses, including the Ebola virus.

Monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 are used before a person gets really sick, usually within 10 days of their first symptom, to prevent hospitalization. The treatment is only approved for people who are at risk of getting extremely sick — those who are age 65 or older and those who have «certain medical conditions,» per the FDA. The same treatment isn’t recommended for people who are already hospitalized with COVID-19.

Monoclonal antibody therapy is also authorized if an at-risk person is exposed to COVID-19, but the definition of «at-risk» in this instance, per the FDA, is a little narrower and reserved for people who are at risk because of a medical condition and unvaccinated or not fully protected by the COVID-19 vaccines because of an immunocompromising condition.

I tested positive. How do I know if I’m eligible?

If you come down with the coronavirus and are concerned about how the disease will affect you, contacting your doctor to learn your options and the best line of treatment for you is a good idea. But, in general, this specific treatment is reserved for people who are at risk for severe disease. Most people who are infected with COVID-19 will recover at home without medical help.

The people who test positive for COVID-19 and would be eligible or benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy may also be the same people who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters because of a medical condition. For those who are at risk of severe COVID-19 and would be eligible for monoclonal antibodies if they test positive (if they’re at least 12 years old and weigh at least 88 pounds) the FDA defines «at risk» under the EUA as:

All people age 65 and older.
People with obesity or those who are overweight (adults with a BMI of more than 25, and children age 12-17 who have a BMI at the 85th percentile or greater).
Pregnant people.
People with cancer.
People with chronic kidney or lung disease.
Individuals with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
People with diabetes.
People with sickle cell disease.
Those living with neurodevelopmental disorders.
People who are immunocompromised or taking immunocompromising medication.
Those who have a «medical-related technological dependence» (such as a tracheostomy or gastrostomy).

However, the FDA stressed in a fact sheet for Eli Lilly’s treatment (another brand of monoclonal antibodies) that this isn’t a complete list, and other medical conditions or factors including race or ethnicity may also place individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19. It also pointed to the CDC’s list of «people with certain medical conditions» for other health conditions, which includes things such as depression and Down syndrome as being high-risk conditions.

In sum: If you test positive and feel you are at risk for severe COVID-19 and might qualify for monoclonal antibodies, you should probably speak to a health care professional about them.

Does vaccine status matter?

No, people who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible for monoclonal antibody therapy because of their age or health condition can be treated regardless of their vaccination status. That is because, while still protective, the vaccines may be less effective at preventing severe disease in some people than others.

However, being unvaccinated might make you eligible for monoclonal antibodies after an exposure to someone with COVID-19. According to the FDA’s authorization of Regen-COV for post-exposure, people eligible for post-exposure treatment must be at risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and either unvaccinated or vaccinated but immunocompromised or taking immunocompromising medications.

I qualify. How do I access the treatment?

Monoclonal antibodies are administered by IV (most commonly) or by injection, so they’re not a prescription you can easily pick up at the pharmacy. According to CNN, the infusion process takes about an hour and patients need to wait a while to be observed for side effects. If you’re at risk for severe COVID-19 and you’ve tested positive or think you have it, ask your doctor where the treatment is available.

If you live in Texas or Florida where there are state-run monoclonal antibody treatment centers, the same eligibility requirements for patients apply. In Florida, this means everyone age 12 and older who is at «high risk for severe illness» can make an appointment and find a monoclonal treatment center at one of the state’s eight locations. In Texas, there are nine antibody infusion centers across the state, but at-risk people need a referral from their doctor.

If you think you qualify for monoclonal antibody treatment but don’t have a health care provider, you can call the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585. You can also use this link from the US Department of Health and Human Services antibody therapy finder.

Do monoclonal antibodies interfere with the coronavirus vaccines?

If you were treated with monoclonal antibodies and you haven’t been vaccinated yet, you should wait 90 days after your treatment to make an appointment, according to the CDC. This recommendation is until more is known about how the antibody response from the treatment affects the immune response from getting vaccinated.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

Technologies

iOS 17 Cheat Sheet: Your Questions on the iPhone Update Answered

Here’s what you need to know about new features and upcoming updates for your iPhone.

Apple’s iOS 17 was released in September, shortly after the company held its Wonderlust event, where the tech giant announced the new iPhone 15 lineup, the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2. We put together this cheat sheet to help you learn about and use the new features in iOS 17. It’ll also help you keep track of the subsequent iOS 17 updates.

iOS 17 updates

Using iOS 17

Getting started with iOS 17

Make sure to check back periodically for more iOS 17 tips and how to use new features as Apple releases more updates.

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

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See all photos

Technologies

Get Ready for a Striking Aurora That Could Also Disrupt Radio Communications

Don’t expect the storm to cause a lingering problem, though.

A geomagnetic storm is threatening radio communications Monday night, but that doesn’t mean you should be concerned. In fact, it may be an opportunity to see a colorful aurora in the night sky.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a geomagnetic storm watch after witnessing a coronal mass ejection from the sun on Saturday. The watch, which was issued over the weekend and will expire after Monday, said the onset of the storm passing over Earth on Sunday night represented a «moderate» threat to communications. As the storm continues to pass through, it could deliver a «strong» threat on Monday night that could cause radio communications to be temporarily disrupted during the worst of it.

Even so, NOAA said, «the general public should not be concerned.»

A coronal mass ejection occurs when magnetic field and plasma mass are violently expelled from the sun’s corona, or the outermost portion of the sun’s atmosphere. In the vast majority of cases, the ejection occurs with no real threat to Earth. However, in the event the ejection happens in the planet’s direction, a geomagnetic storm occurs, and the Earth’s magnetic field is temporarily affected.

In most cases, geomagnetic storms cause little to no disruption on Earth, with radio communications and satellites affected most often. In extreme cases, a geomagnetic storm can cause significant and potentially life-threatening power outages — a prospect that, luckily, the planet hasn’t faced.

Switching poles

Every 11 years, the sun’s magnetic poles switch, with the north pole and south pole swapping positions. During those cycles, the sun’s activity ramps up as it gets closer to pole-switching time. The height of its activity is called solar maximum, and scientists believe we either may be entering the solar maximum or may be already in it.

During periods of heightened solar activity, sunspots increase on the sun and there’s an increase in coronal mass ejections, among other phenomena. According to NOAA, solar maximum could extend into October of this year before the sun’s activity calms and it works towards its less-active phase, solar minimum.

Even when geomagnetic storms hit Earth and disrupt communications, the effects are usually short-lived. Those most affected, including power grid operators and pilots and air traffic controllers communicating over long distances, have fail-safe technologies and backup communications to ensure operational continuity.

But geomagnetic storms aren’t only about radios. In most cases, they also present unique opportunities to see auroras in the night sky. When the storms hit, the plasma they carry creates a jaw-dropping aurora, illuminating the night sky with brilliant colors. Those auroras can be especially pronounced during the most intense phases of the storm, making for nice stargazing.

If you’re interested in seeing the aurora, you’ll need to be ready. The NOAA said the «brunt of the storm has passed» and even if it lingers into Tuesday, there won’t be much to see after Monday night.

Technologies

Last Total Solar Eclipse for 20 Years Is Coming: How to See and Photograph It

It’s your last chance until 2044.

Get your eclipse glasses ready, Skygazers: the Great American Eclipse is on its way. On April 8, there’ll be a total eclipse over North America, the last one until 2044.

A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun and turning an otherwise sunny day to darkness for a short period of time. Depending on the angle at which you’re viewing the eclipse, you may see the sun completely shrouded by the moon (called totality) or some variation of it. The more off-angle you are and the further you are from the path of the eclipse, the less likely you’ll be to see the totality.

The 2024 total solar eclipse will happen on Monday, April 8. The Great American Eclipse will reach the Mexican Pacific coast at 11:07 a.m. PT (2:07 p.m. ET), and then traverse the US in a northeasterly direction from Texas to Maine, and on into easternmost Canada. If you want a good look at it, but don’t live in the path of totality, you shouldn’t wait much longer to book accommodation and travel to a spot on the path.

Or how about booking a seat in the sky? Delta Airlines made headlines for offering a flight that allows you to see the entire path of totality. Its first eclipse flight, from Austin, Texas, to Detroit sold out quickly. But as of Monday, Delta has added a second flight from Dallas to Detroit, which also covers the path of totality. The airline also has five flights that will offer prime eclipse viewing.

Not everyone can get on one of those elusive eclipse-viewing flights. Here’s a look at other options to nab a chance to see this rare sight and what to know about it.

Total solar eclipse path

The eclipse will cross over the Pacific coast of Mexico and head northeast over mainland Mexico. The eclipse will then make its way over San Antonio at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET on April 8 and move through Texas, over the southeastern part of Oklahoma and northern Arkansas by 2:50 p.m. ET.

By 3 p.m. ET, the eclipse will be over southern Illinois, and just 5 minutes later, will be traveling over Indianapolis. Folks in northwestern Ohio will be treated to the eclipse by 3:15 p.m. ET, and it will then travel over Lake Erie and Buffalo, New York, by 3:20 p.m. ET. Over the next 10 minutes, the eclipse will be seen over northern New York state, then over Vermont. By 3:35 p.m. ET, the eclipse will work its way into Canada and off the Eastern coast of North America.

Best places to watch the Great American Eclipse

When evaluating the best places to watch this year’s total eclipse, you’ll first want to determine where you’ll have the best angle to see the totality. The farther off-angle you are — in other words, the farther north or south of the eclipse’s path — the less of an impact you can expect.

Therefore, if you want to have the best chance of experiencing the eclipse, you’ll want to be in its path. As of this writing, most of the cities in the eclipse’s path have some hotel availability, but recent reports have suggested that rooms are booking up. And as more rooms are booked, prices are going up.

So if you want to be in the eclipse’s path, and need a hotel to do it, move fast. And Delta’s eclipse-viewing flight from Dallas to Detroit has just four seats left at the time of publication.

Eclipse eye safety and photography

As with any solar eclipse, it’s critical you keep eye safety in mind.

During the eclipse, and especially during the periods before and after totality, don’t look directly at the sun without special eye protection. Also, be sure not to look at the sun through a camera (including the camera on your phone), binoculars, a telescope or any other viewing device. This could cause serious eye injury. Sunglasses aren’t enough to protect your eyes from damage.

If you want to view the eclipse, you’ll instead need solar viewing glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard. Anything that doesn’t meet that standard or greater won’t be dark enough to protect your eyes. Want to get them for free? If you’ve got a Warby Parker eyeglasses store nearby, the company is giving away free, ISO-certified solar eclipse glasses at all of its stores from April 1 until the eclipse, while supplies last.

If you don’t have eclipse viewing glasses handy, you can instead use indirect methods for viewing the eclipse, like a pinhole projector.

Read more: A Photographer’s Adventure With the Eclipse

In the event you want to take pictures of the eclipse, attach a certified solar filter to your camera. Doing so will protect your eyes and allow you to take photos while you view the eclipse through your lens.

There’s also a new app to help you both protect your eyes and take better photos of the eclipse on your phone. Solar Snap, designed by a former Hubble Space Telescope astronomer, comes with a Solar Snap camera filter that attaches to the back of an iPhone or Android phone, along with solar eclipse glasses for protecting your eyesight during the event. After you attach the filter to your phone, you can use the free Solar Snap Eclipse app to zoom in on the eclipse, adjust exposure and other camera settings, and ultimately take better shots of the eclipse.

2024 eclipse compared to 2017

The last total solar eclipse occurred in 2017, and many Americans had a great view. Although there are plenty of similarities between the 2017 total solar eclipse and the one coming April 8, there are a handful of differences. Mainly, the 2024 eclipse is going to cover more land and last longer.

The 2017 eclipse started over the northwest US and moved southeast. Additionally, that eclipse’s path was up to 71 miles wide, compared with a maximum width of 122 miles for this year’s eclipse. Perhaps most importantly, the moon completely covered the sun for just 2 minutes, 40 seconds in 2017. This year, maximum totality will last for nearly four-and-a-half minutes.