JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Baptist Health announced Monday it is partnering with Lifesouth Community Blood Centers as part of a coronavirus clinical trial.
The trial will help COVID-19 patients, especially the ones in intensive care, using convalescent plasma.
Baptist Health will be accepting plasma donations from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to treat current COVID-19 patients. The hospital said the plasma contains antibodies, or proteins in the blood, that can attack the virus and lessen its severity.
It is free for donors and each blood donation can help two to three patients, hospital officials said.
How do you know if you’re eligible to donate plasma?
If you have recovered from COVID-19 and would like to help by donating plasma, you must meet the criteria below:
- A laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19
- Complete resolution of symptoms without fever- or symptom-reducing medication for at least 14 days prior to donation.
- If it has been fewer than 28 days since the resolution of their symptoms, donors must have a documented negative result by one or more nasal swab specimens or a molecular diagnostic blood test. If neither of these tests was performed, a positive antibody test confirming the patient has COVID-19 antibodies is acceptable.
If I am eligible to be a donor, what is the next step?
If you meet the criteria to be a donor, you are asked to contact LifeSouth by emailing medicaloffice@lifesouth.org or by calling 352-224-1770 to set up an appointment. Let them know that you are donating to Baptist Health.