New study suggest blood type plays role in who gets COVID-19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Researchers are looking into the question: can your blood type really protect you against COVID-19?

Action News Jax looked into a new study that suggests having a certain blood type may play a role in whether or not you get the disease. 

Arlene Howell and her husband Jon came to the Intracoastal Plaza to donate blood on Wednesday. 

"I believe I have O-positive," Arlene Howell said. 

“I’m B-positive just like my personality,” laughed Jon Howell. 

Recently the California-based genetic testing company 23andMe released new data that appears to show that people with Type O blood, the most common type, are less likely to be infected with the COVID-19 virus.

The 23andMe study involved more than 750,000 people. 

It found those with O-positive blood are 9% - 18% less likely to get the virus than those with other blood types. 

Researchers aren't seeing the same level of protection for A, B, or AB blood types. 

Dr. Lourdes Norman-McKay, a professor of microbiology at FSCJ told Action News Jax that despite the data, it doesn’t mean you’re fully protected. 

“Just because you have Type O blood, don’t assume you have the blank check to go do whatever you want out there,” Dr. Norman-McKay said. 

Dr. Norman-McKay said there are plenty people with Type O blood who are having very severe cases of COVID-19. 

She said your blood type is genetically determined and chances are there are some other genetic factors that make people less likely to get the virus.  

“That’s not necessarily surprising: your genetics affect all kinds of things, susceptibility to cancers, susceptibility to other infectious agents,” she said. 

Whatever your blood type, the Howells said it’s still important to protect yourself during the pandemic. 

“Just use common sense, that’s really what it comes down to,” Jon Howell said. 

Researchers with 23andMe said these are just preliminary findings.

For more information on the study you can click HERE

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