In September, the Biden administration moved to stave off shortages of monoclonal antibodies, taking over distribution of the critical covid-19 treatment. Their use has become more widespread in the United States in recent months, especially in the Deep South due to high infection rates. “These antibodies were found to be remarkably effective if given early, within 10 days of symptoms,” said Upinder Singh, a professor of infectious diseases at Stanford University. “They reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by almost 80 percent. They reduce the symptoms by four days.” Monoclonal antibody treatments are effective and free to high-risk coronavirus patients, but experts say the treatment alone cannot prevent the next surge of cases. “The vaccine is what you take to prevent disease, what you take so that you don't get sick,” said Singh, adding that antibody treatments are currently only used for patients infected with covid-19. “So that's a difference, right, to prevent illness versus treat illness.” Read more: https://wapo.st/3Flyki4. Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube: https://wapo.st/2QOdcqK Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/washingtonpost Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washingtonpost/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/washingtonpost/