CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coastal Bend Blood Center is set to begin collecting plasma from those who have recovered from COVID-19.
Coastal Bend Blood Center said this plasma can be transfused to people with life-threatening cases of coronavirus.
In a news release, the non-profit states, "The experimental blood related treatment is approved by the FDA as an Emergency Investigational New Drug (eIND) to be used on an emergency basis and is called 'COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma'."
The statement continued, "Per FDA guidelines, the hospital must request FDA approval and work within the eIND guidelines in order to treat coronavirus patients with plasma."
People who have recovered from the coronavirus have developed antibodies to the virus that remain in the plasma portion of their blood.
Transfusion of the plasma from recovered patients into a person still fighting the virus may boost the patient’s immune system and potentially could help them recover.
Candidates for donation of convalescent plasma include:
- Must have previous COVID-19 diagnosis through a positive lab test result.
- Must have fully recovered from COVID-19 with a complete resolution of symptoms for at least 14 days before the donation of convalescent plasma.
- Must provide a negative lab test result.
- If a person has been symptom free for 28 days or more, they may contact the blood center directly and do not need to provide negative lab test results.
- Must meet all standard FDA blood donor requirements.
Plasma products will be collected through an apheresis technology which separates the blood components and will be provided to hospitals in the Coastal Bend community.
Potential donor candidates will be referred to the Coastal Bend Blood Center through the local health department, hospitals, or the recovered patient's physician.
Verification of the positive COVID-19 test results, negative laboratory test results and 14 days symptom free should be verified by requesting facilities prior to donation.
