Dent returns home after COVID-19 hospitalization

MOSES LAKE — Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, is at home recovering after being admitted to the intensive care unit at Samaritan Hospital on Oct. 21, two weeks after testing positive for the coronavirus.

The state legislator, who represents the 13th Legislative District, first tested positive Oct. 7, leading him to miss two campaign events, on Oct. 12 and 15, according to his staff.

Dent had announced his diagnosis Oct. 19. Two days later, he was admitted to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, the largest hospital in Grant County. According to a press release, he was treated at Samaritan with REGN-COV2, more commonly known as Regeneron, after the company that created this antibody cocktail. In a statement, Dent praised the treatment he received at the county’s largest hospital.

“I cannot say enough about the quality of care and the dedication of the staff at Samaritan,” Dent wrote. “We are truly fortunate to have such a high-quality facility in the 13th District.”

Dent stated that he “understands exactly how vicious the virus can be” after his hospitalization.

“I am on the road to recovery and continue with ongoing treatments as a precautionary measure; I feel stronger each day,” Dent added.

Emry Dinman can be reached via email at edinman@columbiabasinherald.com.