With more than 423,670 confirmed coronavirus cases around the world, scientists are desperately searching for treatments for the COVID-19 disease.
Now, doctors in New York have revealed plans to test an experimental therapy that uses blood from people who have recovered from the disease.
The therapy, known as convalescent plasma, takes advantage of virus-fighting antibodies that are present in people’s blood after they recover from the disease.
For the trial, the researchers will collect plasma from the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients.
Antibodies will then be harvested from the plasma, before being injected into people sick with the virus.
Speaking in a news briefing this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo explained: “There have been tests that show when a person is injected with the antibodies, that then stimulates and promotes their immune system against that disease.”
"It's only a trial. It's a trial for people who are in a serious condition, but the New York State Department of Health has been working on this with some of New York's best health care agencies, and we think it shows promise, and we're going to be starting that this week.”
Convalescent plasma therapy has been used for more than 100 years, and was even used during the 1918 flu pandemic.
As it stands, there is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
The NHS explained: “Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
“You'll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you've recovered.”
