The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a study to determine if antibodies in the blood plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients can be used to successfully treat current COVID-19 patients. Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) is part of this study, based out of Mayo Clinic.

As part of the trial, NGHS is looking for local donors who have had documented cases of COVID-19 and recovered. The hope is that this plasma from recovered patients will help those with current severe COVID-19 disease recover as well.

“We know from experience with other viral infections that convalescent plasma can be an effective treatment,” says Dr. Joseph Conway, Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. “Being part of this study will help determine if that is true for COVID-19. This is an opportunity to potentially make a difference in the lives of multiple people. If the convalescent plasma is effective, this could help prevent or lessen the need for patients to be put on ventilators. This is important information we need to learn.”