Recovered Thai COVID-19 patients to donate plasma to treat other patients

The Thai Red Cross Society said on Tuesday that 49 recovered COVID-19 patients have agreed to donate their plasma to heal other patients.

Dutjai Chaivanichsiri, director of the blood center of the Thai Red Cross Society, told the media the plasma can be used as an alternative treatment for patients suffering from serious lung infections, brought by COVID-19, in addition to drugs to ease symptoms, until a vaccine is available.

He said studies of the use of plasma from recovered patients, in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Shanghai, have shown that it is effective and safe and the method has been approved by both the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration.

The National Blood Service of the Thai Red Cross Society had earlier screened the 49 plasma donors, their health and medical records to ensure the safety of both the donors and the receivers.

Dutjai said the National Blood Service is still in need for more plasma and is encouraging more COVID-19 recoveries to donate to help other patients.

"Those wishing to donate plasma must be asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, discharged from hospital and healthy. They must also have completed a 14-day self-quarantine at home. Donors will be tested for the virus 14 days prior to donating blood and must be between 17-60 years old and weigh more than 50 kilograms," said Dutjai.

Thailand reported 34 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, with one new fatality. The total death toll has increased to 41.

The total infections in Thailand stood at 2,613, with 1,405 recoveries and 1,167 patients were still being treated in hospitals.

(CGTN)