Blood donation plea to recovered patients
PEOPLE who have recovered from coronavirus are being urged to donate blood in order to increase stocks of “convalescent plasma”.
Their blood could contain antibodies which can help treat current patients of the virus.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service ( SNBTS) says “time is of the essence” when it comes to such donations as antibodies can fade after four months.
Scotland’s national clinical director Professor Jason Leitch spoke about the importance of giving blood at the daily coronavirus briefing yesterday.
Prof Leitch said: “It is vital there are ( blood) supplies for patients in Scotland at any time, but it is particularly important right now.
“As health services restart, the demand for blood across Scotland is also increasing.
“Blood donations are needed, especially as we move towards winter.
“So if you have never donated, or if you haven’t recently donated, I would urge you to contact the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and make an appointment to donate.”
He stressed safety measures and strict social distancing are in place at donation centres, and sessions are running by appointment only.
“The blood transfusion service is also working to advance the fight against Covid- 19 by collecting convalescent plasma at the donor sessions,” Prof Leitch added.
“Research is showing that the blood of someone who has recently recovered from Covid- 19 may contain antibodies which we can use for treating people in hospital who are seriously unwell with the virus.
“The blood transfusion service is looking for new donors of convalescent plasma, so if you’ve had Covid- 19 – either a confirmed positive test, or you’ve selfisolated because you’ve had symptoms, and if you are now symptom- free for 28 days – the blood transfusion service would like to hear from you.”
The SNBTS guidance says those who meet the usual eligibility criteria can donate convalescent plasma.
SNBTS associate director Lynne Willdigg said: “Time is of the essence. These antibodies reduce rapidly after four months so it’s critical to get in touch sooner rather than later.”
Meanwhile, Scotland has recorded four new coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, Nicola Sturgeon has announced, and the number of cases has now passed 30,000.
The First Minister said the country registered 775 new infections in the last day, with the number of people in hospital and intensive care increasing.
The 775 cases are 12.6% of newly- tested individuals, up from 10.8% the previous day.
Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing that 324 of the cases are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, 102 in Lanarkshire and 164 in Lothian.
She said a national incident management team will meet later with a particular focus on the situation in Glasgow and Lanarkshire. The remaining cases are spread across nine other health board areas.