Health & Fitness
Red Cross Testing LA County Donors For COVID-19 Antibodies
Hospitals are now resuming surgeries and there is a critical need for donations, the American Red Cross said Monday.
SANTA MONICA, CA — The American Red Cross is testing donors for COVID-19 antibodies and giving donors $5 Amazon gift cards.
The limited time offers come as hospitals are in dire need of blood, the Red Cross announced Monday in a news release. Hospitals temporarily halted elective surgeries amid the coronavirus pandemic, but surgeries and treatments that require blood have resumed.
All donors of blood, platelets and plasma will be tested for the antibodies, which indicate whether a person has been exposed to the coronavirus. A positive test does not confirm infection or immunity to COVID-19, the Red Cross said.
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The test has been given the OK for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
"If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19, said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care for Red Cross Biomedical Services, in the news release.
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Samples will be pulled at the time of the donation and sent to a lab, which will also test samples for infectious diseases. Antibody results will be available from seven to 10 days after donation.
Amazon has donated the $5 gift cards to anyone who donates in June.
Donors will be subject to temperature checks, and must wear face coverings and maintain six feet of distance from others.
People who feel ill are asked to stay home.
You can schedule and book an appointment online for many nearby locations, including:
- American Red Cross Santa Monica Chapter, 1450 11th St., Santa Monica
- Culver Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City
- Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice
- Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey
- Common Space Brewery, 3411 W El Segundo, Hawthorne
- Patch Staffer Courtney Teague contributed to this report.
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