On August 28, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is expanding its approval for the use of the drug remdesivir for all COVID-19 patients.  Previously it was only recommended for the most seriously ill patients, those patients with low blood oxygen levels or needing oxygen therapy or more intensive breathing support such as a mechanical ventilator.

Today as part of the Hawaii State House Select Committee on COVID-19, the CEO of Queen’s Medical Center, Dr. Jill Hoggard Green, said she had asked the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams, to assist Queen’s in getting 750 additional cases of remdesivir to add to its supply.  Dr. Green said with the new approval to be able to treat any COVID-19 patient with remdesivir, she expects they will use more of it.

She said Queen’s is treating COVID-19 patients with remdesivir and with the steroid dexamethasone, and that patients who would have six months ago died–are not.  Adams toured the hospital’s COVID-19 areas, and met with a number of the doctors and other health professionals helping COVID-19 patients, and asked how he could help.  Green said the additional cases will mean the facility will be able to treat all COVID-19 patients with remdesivir.

Right now, Queen’s on O’ahu has 99 COVID-19 patients–14 in the ICU.  Dr. Green said Queen’s North Hawaii Community Hospital has no COVID-19 patients, and the facility stands ready to help other Big Island hospitals such as Hilo Medical Center if they need to transfer patients.

The drug is being used throughout the state, including at Hilo Medical Center.     As of Monday afternoon, HMC  has 16 people hospitalized with COVID-19 .  Two are in the ICU, and 14 in the COVID-19 Unit.