Coronavirus: Potential plasma donors in Surrey and Hampshire at highest ever level

The NHS is urging people across Surrey and Hampshire hitting the 28-day COVID recovery mark to register as plasma donors.

People can only donate 28 days after they’ve recovered, so the number of potential donors is now at the highest ever level following the spike in cases over the festive period.

The antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had the disease might save the lives of people who struggle to develop their own immune response to the virus.

Nationally, more than 300,000 people have offered to donate, including 3,700 in Woking, and more than 60,000 donations have been taken.

Professor Dave Roberts, Associate Medical Director for Blood Donation at NHSBT, said: “More people than ever can help – the time to donate is now.

“We especially need donations from people in Woking who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.”

NHSBT is collecting plasma for new trials for older people or those with cancer to treat them early in the course of the infection.

Prof Roberts added: “We have completed two trials and analysis is ongoing. We now need to collect plasma for further planned clinical studies. We’re particularly looking at high risk groups such as the elderly and people with cancer.

“Donations are vital to the ongoing lifesaving research, which gives us a better understanding of how we can best treat patients with COVID-19 and help prevent deaths in the future.”

Donations are being taken at NHSBT’s 23 blood donor centres and a further 20 pop-up plasma donor centres.

Donation takes about 45 minutes. Your body quickly replaces the donated plasma and donated antibodies.

All donations are tested for coronavirus antibodies. Men, black and Asian people, and people aged over 35, are more likely to have the high antibody levels needed for donation.

People can register to donate online.