Based on the AABB COVID-19 Weekly Hospital Transfusion Survey, which collected data from 96 hospitals in 35 states between May 25 and 28, 2020, hospitals are now reporting shorter wait times to obtain COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) compared to a few weeks ago. Fifty percent of hospitals are now able to transfuse patients within 1-3 days of COVID-19 diagnosis/admission. Further, more hospitals are prioritizing CCP for COVID-19 cases of mild severity compared to the severely ill. About 77% of transfused patients are receiving one unit of CCP and 5% are receiving two units over two days; however, only 5% of the hospitals report knowing the titer of the CCP. In addition, over 81% of hospitals have resumed elective surgeries which can require blood products. U.S. blood centers are now reporting their lowest blood supply levels since the beginning of the pandemic, and blood drives continue to be cancelled since many businesses, schools, and other organizations remain closed. The AABB, American’s Blood Centers, and the American Red Cross issued a joint statement on May 28, 2020 that urges the public to donate blood. It will be important for hospitals to prepare for blood shortages and a possible second wave of illness from SARS-CoV-2.
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