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Plasma donations sought in San Antonio to help treat COVID-19 patients

This April 15, 2020 photo provided by New York Blood Center Enterprises shows vials of blood from donors for testing at the Blood Bank of Delmarva Christiana Donor Center in suburban Newark, Del. Survivors of COVID-19 are donating their blood plasma in droves in hopes it helps other patients recover from the coronavirus. And while the jurys still out, now scientists are testing if the donations might also prevent infection in the first place. (New York Blood Center Enterprises via AP) (Uncredited, New York Blood Center Enterprises)

The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center is seeking people who have recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma to help with current patients suffering from the disease.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, 45 units of plasma had been sent to local hospitals with several orders still pending.

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In June, close to 1,000 units of convalescent plasma has been sent to local hospitals.

“They recover sooner, they recover faster, and they overall do better,” said Dr. Jairo Melo, medical director of pulmonary and critical care at Methodist Hospital. “Unfortunately, we’re so worried. We were able to give plasma when we had few patients. Now that the amount of patients is so high, there are several patients we haven’t been able to give plasma at all.”

The organization is seeking anyone who has recovered from COVID-19 to see if they are eligible to donate.

Potential plasma donors can send an email to COVID19@SouthTexasBlood.org to find out if they qualify.

RELATED: Over 10,000 COVID-19 cases reported in San Antonio, Bexar County


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