PATIENTS’ BLOOD MAY BE USED TO TREAT VICTIMS

Blood from recovered coronavirus victims could soon be used to treat patients who are battling the disease and even help vulnerable people avoid the illness altogether.

Scientists in the U.S. are awaiting approval to start a human trial to see if the blood plasma of people who have fought off the disease can help boost the immune system of others. The approach was used during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.

There is currently no treatment for coronavirus and vaccines are unlikely to be available until the end of the year at the earliest.