WATCH: Gov. Abbott discusses distribution of COVID-19 antibody treatment across Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Governor Greg Abbott traveled to Lubbock on Thursday to hold a briefing with local officials and provide an update on the distribution of bamlanivimab, the Eli Lilly & Company monoclonal antibody therapy.

The Governor was joined by Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, and University of Texas System Executive Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs John Zerwas, MD.

He started the news conference by thanking all health professionals during the pandemic.

“We’re engaged in a war against this infectious disease,” he said.

He says there is good news for those health care professionals.

The first medical treatment made for COVID-19 has arrived in Lubbock and across the state of Texas. The treatment is given through an IV and takes about an hour for the treatment.

The Governor told the assembly that these first rounds of treatment would go to more at risk groups, in the early stages of COVID-19, to help prevent them from having to enter local hospitals later.

In December, the Governor anticipates two vaccines to be approved - from Pfizer and Moderna.

He said the State of Texas will not go into another shut down.

During the news conference, Lubbock County officials issued a news release saying Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish tested positive for the novel coronavirus Thursday morning prior to visiting with Governor Abbott.

The meeting was held at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.