Beebe Healthcare to offer Convalescent Plasma Therapy as COVID-19 treatment

LEWES, Del. – Beebe Healthcare has announced a partnership with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to offer convalescent plasma therapy as a treatment for acutely sick COVID-19 patients.

Beebe is the first hospital in Delaware to offer this treatment. At this time, there are no other drugs or therapeutics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat coronavirus, however, the FDA recently announced guidance and recommendations for convalescent plasma treatment. Initial studies show that it’s possible that plasma taken from those who have recovered from the virus, which has antibodies against the virus, could help.

Guidelines allow only eligible blood donors who have recovered from COVID-19 and have been asymptomatic for at least 14 days to donate their plasma. The Blood Bank is asking donors to be willing to donate up to three times.

The following is a list of requirements to meet the criteria of donating plasma:

• Lab confirmed positive test for COVID-19 (documentation of positive test is required)
• Your symptoms have been gone for at least 14 days
• You are willing to donate plasma up to three times

If you are interested in seeing if you are eligible for a donation, call 1-888-8BLOOD-8, or click here.