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Southcentral Kentucky Red Cross Screening Blood Donations for COVID-19 Antibodies

The American Red Cross

The coronavirus pandemic and the upcomng holiday season present a real challenge for the nation's blood supply.  Now, the Red Cross is testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies to encourage donations.  

Each year the American Red Cross sees a slump in blood donations between Thanksgiving and New Year's.  Red Cross officials fear the coronavirus pandemic will further compsomise the nation's blood supply this year.  As an added incentive to give, the Red Cross is currently screening all donatons for COVID-19 antibodies which could help patients actively fighting the virus.  

"Until mid-January, the Red Cross is going to be able to test the antibodiies in the blood to see if you have those from COVID-19," said Jennifer Capps, the Executive Director of the Southcentral Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross. "In order to  schedule your blood appointment and get those results, we encourage you to download the free Red Cross Blood App.  You can actually schedule your appointment right there on the website and within 7-10 days typically you can go back to that app and you'll be able to see if you've tested positive for the antibodies."

Capps says the American Red Cross is following the highest standards of safety and infection control and has incorporated temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings in response to hte coronavirus. 

More information can be found online

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