A second Covid infusion treatment center opened in the Rio Grande Valley.

For many people receiving treatment at the center at DHR Health in Edinburg, it can be the difference between life and death.

"Monoclonal antibodies are a lifesaving intervention for people with COVID-19 that consists of antibodies, the protein that kills the virus, that are made synthetically in a lab,” Hidalgo County Health Authority Dr. Ivan Melendez explained. "Monoclonal antibody infusion has been measured anywhere between 55 to 75% effective in keeping people out of the hospital and of course subsequently dying. Highly effective."

The first infusion center in the Rio Grande Valley opened in Harlingen two weeks ago. The Edinburg facility can treat up to 20 patients at a time and is free for all patients.

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“It's before you get acutely ill,” Melendez said of the timing of the treatment. “You do not give it to people that are in the hospital, in fact, it's worse if you give it to those people. You do not give it to people that already are on oxygen. You do not give it to people that, recently, have been immunized."