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University Hospitals starts testing plasma as potential COVID-19 treatment

UH Cleveland Medical Center is just one of three sites in Ohio, and the only one in Northeast Ohio, participating in the study.

CLEVELAND — University Hospitals is now testing whether convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can help treat the virus. 

There's currently no drug approved to fight COVID-19, but doctors are hoping that antibodies in the plasma of recovered patients could help those who are currently sick fight off the virus.

The trial is part of a study headed at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. UH Cleveland Medical Center is one of just three hospitals in the state -- and the only one in Northeast Ohio -- participating in the study. 

“UH is at the forefront of experimental treatments including remdesivir, stem cell therapy and now convalescent plasma," cardiologist Dr. Steven Philby said in a press release. "Patients suffering from extreme complications of COVID-19 have hope at UH thanks to these options."

Right now, only people in the hospital with severe COVID-19 complications are eligible to receive the plasma. 

UH is partnering with Hoxworth Blood Center and Vitalant to provide plasma donations for this study. But, the American Red Cross is accepting plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients as well. UH urges people interested in donating plasma contact the American Red Cross.

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