Tower Health hospitals joining antibodies study

Tower Health is participating in research involving blood plasma from those who have recovered from COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

The goal is to investigate the use of antibodies, presumed to be present in the plasma, as a treatment for those currently suffering with the illness.

Penn State Health is also conducting research. Such work is gathering steam across the nation in preparation for a longer initial outbreak and expected future outbreaks.

Tower Health facilities, including Reading Hospital, have registered to take part in the research of convalescent plasma under the Mayo Clinic Expanded Access Program.

For a majority of those made ill by the virus, the recovery period is a week to two weeks.

Those recovered may have antibodies to the virus in their plasma. With the virus being in the community for six weeks now, there is a growing number of people in the community and within the Tower Health system who have recovered from the virus.

“Tower Health is pleased to support this important research which may bring relief to ill patients while also advancing our knowledge of COVID-19,” said Dr. Debra Powell, chief of section of infectious disease at Reading Hospital, in a press release. “Donated plasma will stay in our area and distributed to patients in need.”

People who have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 may be eligible to donate plasma to treat hospitalized patients and to advance the understanding of the disease.

Those interested can register with the MillerKeystone Blood Center or the American Red Cross. If an individual qualifies, the process of donating plasma is similar to that of a regular blood donation.