(Source: Caroline Coleburn) By Caroline Coleburn | January 9, 2021 at 4:58 PM EST - Updated January 10 at 9:54 PM
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - As COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations continue to rise, the demand for convalescent plasma, a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, has skyrocketed.
The Red Cross says hospital distributions of convalescent plasma have increased by 250% since October, and thereâs now a national shortage.
Recent studies show convalescent plasma if given early, can help keep older adults from getting seriously sick. The Blood Connection, which provides blood products to more than 70 hospitals in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia says itâs one of the most used COVID-19 treatments in hospitals.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) There is an urgent new call for people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate plasma.
The Blood Connection, a nonprofit community blood center in Raleigh, reports demand for convalescent plasma has tripled as the number of cases rises.
Convalescent plasma can drastically help many COVID-19 patients battling the virus.
Donors must be symptom-free for at least 14 days and have proof of a positive COVID-19 test or positive COVID-19 antibody test in order to donate. COVID is like a sprinter. It runs a 100-yard dash really, really fast, said TBC Medical Director, Robert Rainer in a statement. Blood plasma gives the patient a 50-yard head start, so it lets their immune system catch up and get ahead of the infection.