Antibody tests given during Red Cross blood donations
The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID- 19 antibodies.
The antibody test used by the Red Cross, is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether the tested person developed symptoms.
At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations, after hospital demand for blood products increased in recent weeks.
Blood will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory, where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.
A positive antibody test result does not confi rm infection or immunity.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within seven to 10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or donor portal at RedCross- Blood.org.
The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services.
If someone is feeling healthy and well, schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives, but also learn about potential exposure to COVID- 19.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID- 19, should postpone their donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.
Additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing, and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive, and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with the CDC public guidance.
Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733- 2767.
They can aslo enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
