x
Breaking News
More () »

Demand for blood plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients intensifies

Plasma intended for hospitalized patients with moderate to severe symptoms

CLEVELAND — Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 have something more and more hospitals want: their plasma. 

Convalescent plasma therapy, which collects antibody rich plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19, is used for patients currently hospitalized with moderate to severe symptoms. 

The Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida have expanded access protocol for the use of plasma therapy. 

RELATED: Antibody testing shows coronavirus has been in Ohio since January

In Ohio, the American Red Cross is handling collections. 

"Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are believed to have antibodies that fight the infection. So when a unit is collected, similar to a blood donation, we transfuse this to a patient in the ICU, similar to a blood transfusion. And we believe that the antibodies in this plasma may help attack the virus of the patient who is sick and hopefully help them recover faster," explained Dr. Simon Mucha of the Cleveland Clinic. 

RELATED: Tom Hanks donates plasma to UCLA to help fight coronavirus

To be a donor, the FDA has specified that any patient is a potential donor if they have a proven COVID-19 infection either through the swab testing, where we test for the viral RNA or an antibody test that shows they have been infected. To donate, the patient must have been symptom free for at least 14 days. 

If you feel you qualify, please visit the American Red Cross here for more details. 

RELATED: White House to require West Wing visitors and staff to wear masks

Click here for our coronavirus section

RELATED: University Hospitals in Cleveland confirms local case of 'mystery illness' in child linked to COVID-19 to 3News

RELATED: 3News Investigates: Can COVID-19 antibody tests guarantee immunity?

RELATED: Antibody testing shows coronavirus has been in Ohio since January

RELATED: Ohio coronavirus update: 90% of economy to be reopened by Tuesday; No date set for reopening daycares

RELATED: Three additional RTA employees test positive for COVID-19

RELATED: Ohio looking at plans for youth and adult sports amid coronavirus

RELATED: Here's how coronavirus cases have grown in Ohio each day: Timeline

RELATED: Ohio Department of Health set to randomly test 1,200 households for coronavirus antibodies

Before You Leave, Check This Out