Des Moines, Ia- Officials say that Iowa could run out of convalescent plasma, which is used as an experimental treatment for COVID-19, by December 1st.
Due to the dwindling supply, officials are urging those who have recovered from the virus in Iowa to donate.
Christine Hayes, Chief Operating Officer of Life Service Blood Center in Des Moines tells Radio Iowa, “Right now we are anticipating at the current rate of transfusions across the state of Iowa that our supply of convalescent plasma will be depleted by December 1,” she says.
“Unfortunately, this is absolutely the same case in other states across the country, so our ability to receive more convalescent plasma from other blood centers across the country will be very challenging.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, convalescent plasma therapy may help people recover from COVID-19 by reducing the severity or shortening the duration of the disease.
