plasma donations

Governor beshear is considering asking more coronavirus survivors to donate plasma if a program spearheaded by baptist health lexington works.

The procedure involves taking plasma from covid-19 survivors and giving it to people who have the virus and are critically ill.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine talked to the doctors heading up the program.

#### "certainly if it turns out to be effective, and you want to make sure it's effective before you go too far, then yes, we will be asking a lot of the people that have had the coronavirus."

With more and more people getting the coronavirus, and a vaccine not yet available...doctors around the globe are trying plasma treatments.

Which has been used successfully during other pandemics dating back to the spanish flu outbreak in 1918.

But, doctors at baptist health say it's hard finding potential donors.

"you first off have to have had documented covid-19 infection and you have to had been symptom-free for at least two weeks."

The doctors say since kentucky has only felt the affects of the pandemic in the last few weeks..the pool of donors is small.

A total of 228 people in kentucky who've had it have fully recovered, according to the governor.

One of them corageously stepped up to donate.

The hospital fast-tracked the treatment through a first-of-its-kind partnership with the kentucky blood center...and quickly got the donated plasma to two critically ill patients.

"i was just astounded by how quickly we got this project up and rolling."

Even though baptist health lexington piloted this program, the doctors say with all of the planning between different groups, including the health department, they are sure it will expand soon.

But, the doctors caution...they don't even know if the procedure works.

Their faith is based on similar treatments that were successful during other pandemics.

"we're hoping it will.

The science behind it supports it."

Butted sot "i guess i can say at this point that we're cautiously optimistic.

There's been some improvement.

Baptist health lexington says covid-19 survivors may be contacted to see if they're willing to donate.

Bobbi mcswine, abc 36 news.

Ots image:left employee with covid-19 walmart 2.jpg a walmart worker