Recovered patients donating plasma to save others

More patients who have recovered from the novel coronavirus volunteered to donate their blood plasma to save those in critical condition after experts said that plasma from recovered patients is effective in treating coronavirus.

In Central China's Hunan province, five patients have donated their plasma.

Among them is a man surnamed Cao. The 40-year-old was confirmed with NCP on Jan 31 and discharged from a hospital in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province on Feb 9 after being cured.

"I made the decision to donate my plasma the moment I learned plasma of recovered patients is helpful in treating coronavirus," Cao said.

Cao has been donating blood regularly. He has donated blood more than 10 times.

"I wish recovered patients would donate their plasma to contribute to the efforts in fighting against the epidemic," he said.

In East China's Shandong province, a young man surnamed Liu from Dezhou donated his plasma on Sunday. The 20-year-old is a college student in Wuhan, Hubei. He was discharged from the hospital in Dezhou after being treated for six days.

"I received much help when I was in the hospital. It's my honor and obligation to do what I can to contribute to the anti-epidemic efforts," Liu said, adding he was supported by his family members.

"Their contribution has provided us with an effective tool against the virus, and gave hope to critically ill patients who are struggling for their lives," Sun Yanrong, deputy director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development, said on Monday.

Li Peng, deputy director of the Shandong Blood Center, said there are strict quality regulations governing collecting, processing, storage and administration of convalescent plasma for clinical use.