Had the virus? Give blood

SURVIVORS of Covid-19 are being asked to donate their blood to help save the lives of others who fall seriously ill.

In a desperate bid to reduce the death toll from a potential second wave, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) has called for recovered patients to donate ‘convalescent plasma’.

Plasma is the liquid component of blood which carries any virusfighting antibodies.

New evidence shows that former Covid-19 patients carry a certain amount of coronavirusspecific antibodies. When extracted and transfused into a new Covid-19 patient, it can reduce the mortality rate by up to half and shorten the illness.

Lynne Willdigg, associate director for donor and transport services at SNBTS, said: ‘It is important that we recruit more recovered patients over the coming months to help reduce the impact of this virus on those it affects most severely.’

At present the SNBTS is tendering for new equipment to help them collect more samples of convalescent plasma. Scots can offer blood if they have tested positive for coronavirus or believe they have had the virus in the past four months but have not been tested.

Donors must be symptom-free for at least 28 days and feel well.

But those who wish to donate must act quickly. Antibodies reduce over time, so it is ‘critical’ that SNBTS recruits donors as close to recovery as possible.

To make a donor booking, telephone 0345 90 90 999 and ask for a ‘convalescent plasma appointment’.