Donations From Recovered Coronavirus Patients Sought At Inova

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Inova Health System is seeking recovered patients who could help those continuing to fight COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus. It is part of a nationwide effort to collect and provide convalescent plasma donations, which have antibodies that can be used on the health system's sickest patients.

"Recovered COVID-19 patients have plasma in their blood that should be rich in immunoglobulins that may be helpful to patients who are actively fighting a COVID-19 infection," Inova states on its website.

While the FDA has not approved any treatments for COVID-19, limited data and prior knowledge about respiratory illness indicate that convalescent plasma could make illness less severe or shorten the timeframe of illness. The FDA is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the method through clinical trials and expanded access to convalescent plasma.

Donors are eligible if they can provide a positive COVID-19 test but have been symptom-free for at least 14 days. They will be retested for COVID-19 to confirm they're not carrying an active strain of the virus. Other requirements include feeling healthy on the day of the donation, not having donated blood or blood components within 28 days, being 18 or older, weighing at least 100 pounds and meeting other standard blood donation eligibility requirements.

Recovered patients can fill out Inova's form to inquire about in donating convalescent plasma. You can also use AABB's donation site locator to find sites close to home.

If you're healthy but not a recovered COVID-19 patient, you can help local hospitals in another way. Inova continues to seek donors to maintain its blood supply, as donated blood can last up to 42 days and donated platelets can last up to five days. Inova is taking extra precautions during the donation process in light of the coronavirus crisis. Sign up for a blood donation appointment online at one of Inova's donor centers.