COVID-19: Red Cross Seeks Recovered Virus Patients for Blood Donations

The American Red Cross, in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is seeking residents from Morris County and across the state who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients.

Persons who are fully recovered have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease.

Take a look at these frequently asked questions to determine if you are a potential donor.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has exempted blood drives from his Executive Order that prohibits public gatherings to allow for blood donations to meet the medical needs of New Jersey residents during the COVID-19 crisis.

Blood drives may operate but only by using appropriate mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That would include incorporating social distancing where practicable, collecting blood only from individuals who are healthy and feeling well, conducting temperature screens of both staff and donors before entering a blood drive

It also would require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), providing hand sanitizer to donors, and frequently sanitizing equipment and work spaces.

Contact the New Jersey Region of the Red Cross for more information.