Thai Red Cross is calling on recovered Covid-19 patients to donate plasma

The Thai Red Cross Society is urging fully recovered Covid-19 patients to donate their plasma. They say the plasma could contain antibodies that can be used to treat infected patients.

According to the director of the Red Cross’s National Blood Centre, the plasma of the recovered patients contain antibodies against the coronavirus. The potential plasma or the so-called “Covid-19 Convalescent Plasma,” or CCP, is believed to curb the severity of acute respiratory syndrome caused by the virus.

The head of the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Chulalongkorn University, says the CCP is an alternative treatment for infected patients. The CCP was tested with a foreigner infected with Covid-19 who has severe pneumonia symptoms. The patient received the CCP 2 times and saw the improved condition.

The Thai Red Cross has been asking for plasma donations since April of last year. Over 400 people registered to donate the plasma, but only 152 of those were able to donate. 383 bags of viable CCP were produced. So far, 5 hospitals have used the CCP to treat a total of 9 patients including 6 of who have recovered, 2 who are currently receiving treatment and 1 who died.

Plasma donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 50 kilograms. They must be in good health and must have a prior, verified diagnosis of Covid-19, but are now fully recovered with no Covid-19 symptoms.

SORCE: Thai PBS World | Daily News