Montefiore Nyack Hospital has begun using convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 patients. Patients that test positive for coronavirus are infused with plasma from a person who has recovered from the infection. Dr. Vandana Hoon is the Director of the Department of Pathology at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, and says the hope is that the antibodies in the plasma will boost the infected patient’s immune system to help fight the virus…
Convalescent plasma was used to treat the Spanish flu in 1918, polio, measles, and SARS. Early data suggests it could be effective in treating patients with severe cases of COVID-19. People are encouraged to register as a plasma donor with the New York Blood Center. Visit their website, for more information.