Research Into the Use of Convalescent Plasma for Treatment of COVID-19 Is Discontinued

The National Institutes of Health has halted research into the use of convalescent plasma (blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 illness) to treat patients in the emergency department with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms after initial results showed little effectiveness. A safety monitoring board evaluated data on the treatment in late February and found that while the use of convalescent plasma was safe, it was unlikely to offer significant benefits to those with COVID-19 illness. The study, which included more than 500 participants, was begun in August 2020. Click here to read more.