- Title: Recovered COVID-19 patients donate plasma for treatment in Argentina
- Date: 3rd July 2020
- Summary: BLOOD DONOR, HORACIO SABATINI, RESTING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BLOOD DONOR, HORACIO SABATINI, SAYING: "We heard that it would be for people and that it could save someone and I said, we're obviously going to help." DAIANA WOLOSZCZK DONATING BLOOD (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BLOOD DONOR, DAIANA WOLOSZCZK, SAYING: "It doesn't cost a thing and you know you can do good, that's what's important in all of this. Unfortunately, since this thing is coming (coronavirus) it's going to happen to the majority of people, and if I can help someone else have a little bit better of a time, I welcome it." NEEDLE IN ARM VARIOUS OF BLOOD PUMP VARIOUS OF BLOOD DONORS BAGS OF PLASMA
- Embargoed: 17th July 2020 15:23
- Keywords: Argentina antibodies blood coronavirus donation pandemic plasma recovered treatment
- Location: LA PLATA, BUENOS AIRES & EZEIZA, ARGENTINA
- City: LA PLATA, BUENOS AIRES & EZEIZA, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA003CL99RGN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: People who recovered from coronavirus infections in Argentina are donating plasma as part of a national clinical trial to test its effectiveness as a treatment for patients who are still sick with COVID-19.
Recovered people went to centres across the country to donate, even as winter settles on the South American nation, bringing cold and rainy weather.
"It doesn't cost a thing and you know you can do good, that's what's important in all of this," Daiana Woloszczuk, 34, said while donating plasma in the city of La Plata.
"If I can help someone else have a little bit better of a time, I welcome it."
In order to donate, a person has to be well for at least 14 days and test negative twice for coronavirus.
The treatment proved crucial for patients like Barbara Piccardi, a 31-year-old administrative employee, who was hospitalized for a month with respiratory complications due to coronavirus. When she struggled to breathe on her own, her doctors opted for plasma treatment and she recovered.
"Thanks to (the donor) and her blood, I am alive here at home today," Piccardi said.
Argentina has about 67,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 1,300 associated deaths, according to government data. At least 23,000 people have recovered.
(Production: Miguel Lo Bianco, Claudia Martini, Patrick Alwine) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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