Coronavirus: Drive launched to collect plasma

Twenty teams have been dispatched to 11 provincial-level regions across the country to collect plasma from people who have recovered from the novel coronavirus pneumonia, according to Xu Nanping, vice-minister of Science and Technology.

He also told a Friday news conference that, as of Thursday, 100 such people have donated their plasma, which could be used to treat 240 patients in severe or critical condition, he said.

He said a first batch of 11 patients in Hubei provincial capital Wuhan, including six exhibiting viremia symptom, has been treated by plasma transfusion. The six patients' viremia symptom were relieved three days after they were given the plasma.

The trial of the therapy in some other regions has also showed positive signs, he added. "Generally, the therapy has achieved good results," Xu said.

He also said, thanks to the ministry's month-long efforts, the collection and disposal of the plasma has been standardized.

Plasma transfusion has been included as a treatment for patients in severe or critical condition in the sixth edition, the latest, of the treatment and diagnosis plan published by the National Health Commission on Wednesday.

There have been mature conditions for scale application of the therapy. "We hope more patients who have recovered could donate their plasma," he said.