VOORHEES, NJ — Two patients who were hospitalized in critical condition after testing positive for new coronavirus at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees are recovering after receiving convalescent plasma transfusions, the health system announced on Tuesday.

"We are incredibly excited about these remarkable recoveries," Virtua Health Medical Director Eric Sztejman said. "We performed the transfusions just days after the clinical trial was announced, so it is gratifying to be among the first in nation to explore this promising approach to combating the coronavirus."

They are the first two New Jersey residents to receive the experimental surgery, and both are expected to return to their families in May, health officials said. The donor is the American Red Cross's first donor for this initiative nationwide, health officials said.

In this case, the donation came from Marisa Leuzzi of Downington, Pa., according to health officials, and it was for Leuzzi's aunt, 63-year-old Renee Bannister of Gloucester County. Bannister, a teacher, was on a ventilator for three weeks when she became the first New Jersey resident to receive a convalescent plasma transfusion and recover from the coronavirus.

The surgery involves convalescent plasma taken from donors who recently recovered from the coronavirus and now process protective antibodies that can be used to fight the virus, according to health officials.

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Leuzzi's donation provided enough plasma to also help 61-year-old Andy Fei of Mount Laurel, who had been on a ventilator for six days before receiving the donation.

Bannister was admitted to Virtua on March 22 with symptoms of severe respiratory distress. She was placed on a ventilator two days later. Her condition continued to worsen, despite the efforts of doctors at the hospital.

Dr. Lukasz Polisiakiewicz received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to attempt the convalescent plasma therapy one day after the federal agency authorized the procedure as a treatment option, health officials said.

"Convalescent plasma comes from donors who recently recovered from the coronavirus and subsequently possess protective antibodies. Because COVID-19 is relatively new, the blood banks don't have reserves at the ready. It is a matter of pairing an individual donor with an individual patient," Polisiakiewicz said.

"I truly felt like I was given a gift to help others and there was no hesitation for me to become a donor," Leuzzi said.



Polisiakiewicz, a cross-disciplinary team of Virtua experts, and the American Red Cross worked tirelessly to extract, transport, and transfuse the plasma, and conduct all the necessary tests each step of the way.



Virtua also coordinated with the Mayo Clinic, which is spearheading convalescent plasma research nationwide.



On April 3, Bannister became the first person in New Jersey to participate in the investigational use of convalescent plasma to treat the coronavirus, health officials said.



Within hours of the plasma donation, Bannister's oxygen flow improved, health officials said. Within five days, her vital signs had returned to normal ranges. She was removed from the ventilator 11 days after the transfusion.



She is now out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and she is likely to go to a rehabilitation center soon to finish her recovery. She now gets to FaceTime with her husband and loved ones, and is making plans for her eventual return home.



"We are relieved and overjoyed," her husband, Greg Bannister, said. "There are so many people we want to thank, including Dr. Polisiakiewicz, the entire team at Virtua, and, of course, our niece. We also thank all the people we will never know worldwide who were praying for us. It is truly amazing."



Two days after Bannister received her transfusion, Fei received his. On April 5, the husband, father, and professional opera singer whose career has taken him to notable venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, became the second person in New Jersey to receive a convalescent plasma transfusion and recover from the coronavirus.



His sons, Patrick and Eric, had researched convalescent plasma, but knew that supplies were scarce and that transfusions had only been attempted a few times nationwide.



"Our father's doctor, Eric Sztejman, had to get specific, individualized approval from the FDA and American Red Cross in order to proceed with the therapy. That speaks to how new and rare this is," Eric Fei said.



Andy Fei was off the ventilator nine days after his transfusion, health officials said.



"Each day when we spoke to the nurses and doctors, we heard tiny indications that his condition was improving," Patrick Fei said. "Sometimes we could even hear Luciano Pavarotti [recordings] in the background, which we had asked them to play for him. Pavarotti is dad's favorite."

Fei is also out of ICU and will return home, in time, health officials said.



"We can't wait to hear him sing again someday. Frankly, just to have a meal together as a family is going to be an amazing experience," Patrick Fei said. "We are so appreciative of everyone at Virtua, notably Dr. Sztejman and Dr. Jin Guo. Not only did Virtua take good care of our father, but they also took care of us and kept us informed and connected every step along the way. "



Convalescent plasma is not readily available given the relative newness of the coronavirus, health officials said. The American Red Cross is asking people who have fully recovered from the coronavirus and meet additional criteria to donate plasma for clinical trials of the plasma therapy.



"We must remember that while convalescent plasma has helped these two patients, it is not guaranteed to help all people. More studies are needed, and it is premature to speculate on the ultimate role this treatment option will play," Polisiakiewicz said. "What I do know for certain, is that it was a great honor for me to provide these two families with good news and a second chance."



"Once more is known about COVID-19 and whether antibodies can be donated to help others, I know my family is going to do all we can to give back," Eric Fei said. "Our story is a story of hope, and we want to give hope to others."



Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know