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TMH seeking plasma donations from COVID-19 survivors

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Posted at 12:01 PM, Jul 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-13 12:02:57-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.(WTXL) — Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare is asking anyone who had the coronavirus to donate convalescent plasma to help treat current COVID-19 patients.

The hospital says our community is in need of the plasma to provide the necessary treatment.

The plasma recovered from COVID-19 patients contains antibodies that may be important to the future of fighting this disease, according to TMH.

During this challenging fight against coronavirus , the United States Government is supporting a national Expanded Access Program to collect and provide a convalescent plasma treatment to patients in need.

TMH is currently collaborating with academic, government and industry partners to serve as a partner in the Mayo expanded access protocol program.

This is a resource that will potentially benefit all patients in our local region, not just those at TMH.

In addition to the usual criteria for blood donation, eligible patients must have the following:

  • Documented COVID-19 positive test from an FDA-approved laboratory. This includes a positive diagnostic test at the time of illness OR a positive serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after recovery.
  • Documented recovery from COVID-19 (14 days since last symptom with a negative COVID-19 FDA approved test, or 28 days without a follow-up test).
  • Certification of their OneBlood health history form, by a physician.

Health officials say patients with COVID-19 may improve faster if they receive plasma from those who have recovered from COVID-19, because it may have the ability to fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

TMH is now able to offer this investigational therapy to severe COVID-19 in-patient population.

Currently the local blood bank, OneBlood, is working to accept donations.

Patients can sign up online at OneBlood.org to donate.

Details on this treatment and specifications about eligibility criteria can be found on the OneBloodor FDA website.