COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an ongoing worldwide infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, loss of smell and taste, shortness of breath, coughs, sore throat, muscle aches and pain. Severe forms of COVID-19 can cause death.

COVID-19 can lead to the development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome for which there is no standard treatment in affected persons nor is there a vaccine to prevent the infection. This condition has and continues to cause significant burden on health care systems with affected persons needing prolonged stay on ventilators in Intensive Care Units.

Convalescent Plasma

Convalescent plasma is the liquid part of blood that is collected from patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

Convalescent plasma has been used in the treatment of other life-threatening diseases such as H1N1 pandemic, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV epidemic with varying success. It has also been used during this pandemic and in some instances improved patient outcomes. Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralizing antibodies that attack and kill the virion can be infused into sick patients with the goal of reducing symptoms and saving lives.

 

UHWI Convalescent Plasma Therapy Program

The UHWI has developed a convalescent plasma therapy program to treat very sick COVID-19 patients.

UHWI Convalescent Plasma Therapy Program

Thank you for your interest in donating convalescent plasma and for joining the fight to save lives.

Please complete the form below to determine if you are eligible to donate plasma.

 

 

COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donation Eligibility

  • Lab confirmed positive test for COVID-19
  • If you think you had COVID-19, but were never tested. The blood donation facility will test your blood for antibodies to SARS-Cov-2. This will confirm whether you were infected with the virus in the past.
  • Symptom free for 14 days
  • Willing to donate plasma
  • Meet blood bank donation eligibility criteria (age 18-60 years, Weight≥50kg, no recreational drug use, no respiratory symptoms, no recent transfusion)

 

Contact: plasmasupport@uhwi.gov.jm; ph: 876-977-2327