Appeal for blood plasma donations from NI people who tested positive for COVID-19

Speaking on BBC NI's Good Morning Ulster programme, Matt Gillespie from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service said the plasma could be used in treating people with severe symptoms of Covid-19.

He said: "It is still early days on this trial, they haven’t fully developed the test which measures the amount of antibodies in the plasma, which is the important marker.

"Once that’s ready and they can measure the tier of the antibody, as it is called, then we will be able to say which donors have had the high levels of antibodies and they’ll be the most useful."

Plasma is the largest single component of blood, and makes up about 55% of total blood volume. It is a clear, straw-coloured liquid, which carries platelets, red and white blood cells.

Once separated from blood cells, plasma can be used in transfusions.

Mr Gillespie also said the pandemic had brought about changes in regular blood donation.

He said travelling to donate blood was considered essential, and a number of measures had been put in place to ensure the safety of donors and staff.

These included working in bigger venues, increased use of personal protection equipment, and donation by appointment only.