Vitalant, one of Arizona’s largest blood suppliers, is urging recovered coronavirus patients to donate their plasma. The demand for convalescent plasma has now increased by 400% in Arizona.
Hospitals are currently testing the efficacy of treating COVID-19 patients with the plasma from people who have recovered from the virus. Their plasma contains antibodies that help fight off infections and is the only FDA-approved antibody treatment available to patients in critical condition.
To donate convalescent plasma, recovered patients must meet certain requirements including a prior diagnosis of COVID-19, and they must be symptom free for at least 28 days.
Recovered patients are able to donate plasma at six Vitalant donation locations in the Valley.
