The American Red Cross has reported an emergency shortage of convalescent plasma, which is a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients with the COVID-19 virus.
Convalescent plasma is collected from patients who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection, and it contains antibodies that might help others in battling the virus. Each donation can help up to three hospitalized patients.
The shortage is being felt in Wichita, and the plasma has not been available. Laura Potter, supervisor of the blood bank at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, said in a press release that the hospital has not received any for five days, and patients have been identified who could benefit from it.
Ascension Via Christi joined a trial by the Mayo Clinic for the use of convalescent plasma, and it has been used to treat more than 80 adult patients at the hospital. Four other patients who have severe or life-threatening COVID-19 disease are still waiting for the plasma.
The hospital said most of the patients who have been treated with the plasma have improved enough to be released.
The Red Cross has seen demand for convalescent plasma more than double over the past month as the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase across the U.S.
People who have fully recovered after a verified COVID-19 diagnosis can sign up to give plasma by completing a form at RedCrossBlood.org/Plasma4COVID
