Doctors seeking plasma donors who have recovered from coronavirus
Fifteen blood plasma donors - who have already had coronavirus (COVID-19) - are being sought by doctors and researchers at Tallinn's North Estonia Medical Center, Tartu University Hospital and the University of Tartu to help fight a potential second wave later this year.
So far 2,014 in Estonia people have been confirmed to have COVID-19 and these former patients and their antibodies are very useful when it comes to treating the sick.
Yuri Karjagin, Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University of Tartu and head of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Tartu Hospital, said: "In the current situation, people suffering from the disease are valuable partners for the Estonian medical system."
Karjagin said, as there is currently no vaccine to treat COVID-19, blood plasma may help a patient who is suffering from the disease.
Blood plasma is a fluid medium in which blood cells are suspended. Plasma carries nutrients to the body's cells and also flushes waste products to be excreted by the body.
Read more about plasma on the North Estonia Medical Center's website here.
Eligibility as a donor
A potential donor must be healthy, aged between 18 and 60, not taking medication (except the contraceptive pill), and must have had a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.
Plasma donation requires two visits to the hospital, the first of which determines the donor's suitability. To date, 23 people attended the first appointment. Of these, 11 have reached the plasma donation stage.
Plasma with COVID-19 antibodies is currently stored in 16 doses at Tallinn's North Estonia Medical Center.
If you wish to donate plasma, contact Dr. Ain Kaar of the University of Tartu Hospital who will provide more information. You can contact Kaar by phone 5331 9562 or e-mail [email protected].
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Editor: Helen Wright