Cottage Hospital testing plasma to help fight COVID-19

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- More than five months into the COVID-19 pandemic and doctors and health experts are looking for anything to fight against the virus.

Infectious disease expert at Cottage Hospital, Dr. Lynn Fitzgibbons, say healthcare workers are learning about this new virus while treating it.

The Mayo Clinic is working on a convalescent plasma therapy trial to see how recovered patients from COVID-19's plasma will help others actively fighting the virus.

This week the national's top infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said more research needs to be done.

Dr. Fitzgibbons said Cottage Hospital has had some patients in the Mayo Clinic trial. And they are looking for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered to donate plasma.

Dr. Fitzgibbons said the plasma could be a useful medicine to help those fighting the virus. And there has already been some cases where it helps if used quickly after diagnosis.

To donate plasma visit Vitalant's website.