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20 April 2020updated 06 Oct 2020 9:45am

Plasma from Covid-19 survivors to be trialled as coronavirus treatment in UK

By Samuel Horti

The NHS will collect blood plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 so that it can be used as a potential coronavirus treatment.

Trials will investigate whether plasma therapy, which relies on antibodies stored in the plasma of a previously infected person being transfused into a different patient, could help protect against the virus. 

“If fully approved, the trials will investigate whether convalescent plasma transfusions could improve a Covid-19 patient’s speed of recovery and chances of survival,” a spokeswoman for the blood service said.

“We are working closely with the government and all relevant bodies to move through the approvals process as quickly as possible.”

Those who have recovered from Covid-19 can sign up to donate their blood plasma.

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