Red Cross resumes COVID-19 antibody testing of blood donations
With blood supplies “vulnerable,” the American Red Cross on Friday urged Connecticut residents to schedule a blood donation, announcing it has temporarily resumed testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
Plasma found to have high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used as “convalescent plasma” in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, particularly those with weakened immune systems. Doctors at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London and Westerly Hospital have treated patients with convalescent plasma therapy.
The Red Cross first tested donations for COVID-19 antibodies early in the pandemic but stopped doing so last spring when infection rates decreased and new treatment options became available.
“In recent months, however, as COVID-19 surged to new heights, overwhelming hospitals with critically ill patients battling the virus, hospitals began to seek out more treatments for some of their most vulnerable patients,” the Red Cross said. “New clinical trial data has shown that patients who are immunocompromised may benefit from COVID-19 convalescent plasma, driving renewed hospital demand for convalescent plasma.”
On March 7, the Red Cross resumed testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
Antibody testing will determine if a donor’s immune system has produced COVID-19 antibodies following vaccination or infection, regardless of whether the donor developed symptoms. Samples pulled at the time of donation are sent to a laboratory, where they undergo routine infectious disease testing.
A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.
To schedule a donation at New London County locations in Colchester, Groton, Mystic, Niantic, Norwich, Uncasville and Waterford, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1 (800) 733-2767. COVID-19 antibody test results will be available one to two weeks after donation via the app or at RedCrossBlood.org.
During March, all donors will receive a $10 e-gift card from Fanatics, an online retailer, and be entered in a drawing to win a trip to the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
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