ATLANTA — Northside Hospital System said Monday they have a "critical need" for COVID-19 survivors to help treat current patients.
Hospital officials say that due to the increasing number of hospitalizations from COVID-19, there is a "renewed urgency" for plasma donations to support the needs of patients fighting the coronavirus.
"Northside Hospital and Atlanta Blood Services urgently need recovered COVID-19 patients to donate plasma for COVID-19 treatment. Known as 'convalescent plasma,' it has been used for over 100 years to treat people with infectious diseases," they said in a press release.
On July 2, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency said there were 1,649 patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the state.
Qualified plasma donors must:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Have previously tested positive for COVID-19, or had a positive COVID-19 antibody test.
- Have been symptom-free for at least 14 days.
- Successfully screen as a blood donor per blood donation guidelines.
According to its website, Northside Hospital consists of five not-for-profit hospitals, located in Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Duluth, and Lawrenceville, with over 1,600 licensed beds.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate your plasma, call 404-477-1299 or visit atlantabloodservices.com.
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