GREAT FALLS — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the coronavirus, COVID 19 spreads through close contact and the disbursement of respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, otherwise known as person-to-person spread.
While person-to-person transmission can sometimes include blood transmission in other diseases, the FDA said there have been no confirmed cases of the virus from blood transfusion.
“There have been no reported cases of transfusion-transmitted coronavirus,” (FDA).
The FDA added that “respiratory viruses, in general, are not known to be transmitted by blood transfusion.”
While a coronavirus is a respiratory illness, THE FDA said the potential form blood transmission of the virus is presently unknown.
However, Blood plasma donation organization BioLife Plasma Services, said it’s still safe to donate blood.
In order to ensure the safety of both their donors and recipients. BioLife Plasma Services uses strict screening criteria for their donors.
BioLife Communications Lead Julia Ellwanger said, “BioLife is taking additional precautionary steps to screen for potential COVID-19. Specifically, we ask that those donating alert BioLife staff if they meet any of the items noted in the signage posted in our BioLife centers regarding travel and the coronavirus, and additional deferral times for individuals whose screening information indicates potential exposure.”
BioLife also said they are staying informed about the coronavirus and taking matters seriously, as they value the importance of their donations, donors, and recipients.
Every day, thousands of people with rare and chronic diseases rely on the therapies produced from the plasma we collect. BioLife takes the safety of its donors – and donation process – very seriously. The BioLife team and our medical staff are checking the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website daily and monitoring the situation closely,” said Ellwanger.
