After more than a month in Northside Hospital’s ICU on a ventilator, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Barry Henderson today is being transported out of state to a medical facility that it is hoped will be able to help Henderson overcome COVID-19.

According to Chief Deputy Jonathan Blackmon, Henderson is set today to be transported to the University of Florida’s Shands Hospital to undergo further treatment for the virus.

The hospital has been one of many medical centers trying different treatments for the virus since the pandemic began in 2020, and as of late October were trying out a new therapy that would specifically target the COVID-19 virus with a monoclonal antibody cocktail.

Henderson’s wife Chrisy previously sought help to have Henderson transported and took her case to television news in past weeks to get her husband some kind of additional care beyond what Northside Hospital is able to provide.

He’s been on the ventilator for 44 days, and in the hospital for the past 46 days. Henderson is expected to be transported by Air Ambulance sometime today.

Over the weekend, Blackmon said that Henderson remained sedated and required at least 75% of the ventilator’s capacity to help him breathe.

Meanwhile, financial assistance of various forms have been coming into help the family of Henderson as he continues to suffer from the virus’s ill effects.

The Sheriff’s Office posted on Monday to their Facebook that a neighboring Sheriff’s Office and Police Department stepped up to help with a cash donation.

From the post:

“Today our Office received a financial blessing from Haralson County Sheriff, Stacy Williams and City of Bremen Police Chief Keith Pesnell. They gave a significant cash donation for Sgt. Barry Henderson and asked us to give it straight to his wife, Chrisy so she can take care of any immediate needs. God bless them both and their Offices!”

Along with t-shirt sales, a fundraiser is also being organized by Mosaic Place for a barbecue plate fundraiser.

Check back for additional updates about Henderson as they become available.