SARASOTA, Fla. — Strike teams have been deployed to long-term care facilities across the state to treat COVID-19 positive residents with the monoclonal antibody treatment by Regeneron.

Among those who received the treatment is 98-year-old World War II veteran Louis Baron, who was recovering from a hip replacement at a rehabilitation facility in Sarasota when he contracted the virus.

“My grandfather did get the Pfizer vaccine, he was fully vaccinated,” said granddaughter Alexandra Levine.

While going over treatment options with her mother, Levine said she turned on the television in time to see one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s news conferences on antibody treatments being rolled out across the state, including plans to launch strike teams.

“My mother and I looked at each other and said, 'This is what my grandfather needs,'” Levine said.

Levine said she called the governor’s office herself. A strike team was sent out and Baron was treated. Levine said he is now showing signs of improvement.

“He’s just a wonderful human being and he deserves to live,” she said. “And this Regeneron shot is giving people the will to live.”

A spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health said it's working with both the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Agency for Health Care Administration to identify where to send the strike teams. However, facilities can also make a request.