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>> COVID 19 CASES ARE DOUBLING EACH WEEK. OUR GOVERNOR HAS EXTENDED HIS SAFER AT HOME ORDER TO EVERY COUNTY. SET UP MORE TESTING SITES THROUGHOUT THE STATE. BUSINESSES ARE TAKING MORE STEPS TO KEEP CUSTOMERS SAFE. IT'S MOMENTUM THAT COULD SAVE LIVES. WE APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR URGING FAMILIES NOT TO MAKE A FIELD TRIP OUT OF GOING TO GET GROCERIES. AND STORES FOR LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALLOWED IT'S JUST ONE MORE WAY WE CAN FIGHT THE SPREAD. AS ONE OKLAHOMAN TO ANOTHER I'M NT SURE EVERYBODY IS TAKING THIS AS SERIOUSLY AS THEY SHOULD. EARLIER THIS WEEK I HAD REPORTS OF RESTAURANT FULL OF PEOPLE, BARS OPEN FOR BUSINESS LIKE IT WAS APRIL OF 2019. THE POLICE AREN'T GOING TO LOCK YOU IN YOUR HOUSE. BUT FOLKS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN HERE. IT'S UP TO YOU. BUT EVERY DAY DONE RIGHT MEANS A DAY WITHOUT SPREAD AND A DAY CLOSER TO ENDING THE SPREAD. I MISS MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS TOO. BUT IF WE DON'T DO THE RIGHT THING RIGHT NOW.,ACROSS THE STATE THE ALTERNATIVE IS DEVASTATING. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR F

Advertisement Oklahoma Blood Institute to collect convalescent plasma to help coronavirus patients Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Oklahoma Blood Institute announced that it will collect convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from the COVID-19 coronavirus as part of an experimental initiative to use the product to treat seriously ill patients.According to a news release, by creating the only statewide registry of available patients, the Oklahoma Blood Institute can make sure local patients receive the donated products and have the best possible chance at fighting the virus."We’re excited to play our part in ensuring Oklahomans have access to all treatment options, including convalescent plasma," Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute, said in a news release. "As Oklahoma’s community blood supplier, we can quickly collect donor information and work with our local hospital partners to ensure any Oklahoman who wants to help a neighbor has that opportunity."Oklahoma Blood Institute officials encourage donors to sign up for Oklahoma's registry online here. The website allows users to submit confidential health and social information through a secure site and to list themselves as potential volunteers for medical research.If the applicant qualifies, plasma will be drawn at hospital partner sites with each donor providing up to three therapeutic plasma doses."The Oklahoma State Medical Association is proud to have partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to initiate this proactive program for our COVID-19 patients who may suffer from severe disease in the future," Dr. Larry A. Bookman, president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, said in the release. "This is an example of Oklahoma’s doctors working to take the best possible care of our Oklahoma patients."Potential plasma donors must meet the criteria below to be eligible:Prior diagnosis of COVID-19, documented by a laboratory test.Present negative results for COVID-19, either from nasal swabs or a molecular (RNA or nucleic acid) diagnostic blood test.Symptom-free for 14 days prior to donation.If female, either no history of pregnancy or negative for HLA (tissue typing) antibodies.More information on donor eligibility from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration can be found here."In this time of need, we must all unite to fight against this pandemic threat," Armitage said. "At Oklahoma Blood Institute, we’re proud to continue our role as a leading provider of public health services and cutting-edge care for our state’s patients."