Blood Plasma From Survivors Will Be Given to Coronavirus Patients

Coronavirus patients will receive blood plasma from individuals who have recovered from the disease. 

New York-based doctors will soon test the idea on hospitalized patients, according to The New York Times. The test patients will be given convalescent plasma, the part of the blood that maintains the antibodies, from those who have been cured of the disease. The method has been used previously to treat Ebola and influenza.

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday granted permission for the experimental plasma testing for coronavirus patients in New York-based hospitals. The treatment will be tested on hospitalized patients who have a moderate form of coronavirus, it is not intended for anyone who is in the advanced stages of the disease.

“It’s kind of difficult scientifically to know how valuable it is in any disease until you try,” said Dr. David L. Reich, president and chief operating officer of the Mount Sinai Hospital, which will be using the treatment. “It’s not exactly a shot in the dark, but it’s not tried and true.”