COVID-19: Delhi Govt To Use Plasma Technique On Trial Basis To Treat Patients

New Delhi: As the COVID-19 curve is not showing signs of flattening anytime soon, the Delhi government is planning to use convalescent plasma technique on a trial basis to treat patients.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Wednesday made an announcement in this regard after a meeting with Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal and senior government officials including health department through video conferencing.

In the convalescent plasma technique, the plasma of recovered patients, who have developed antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 virus, will be used for treating COVID-19 patients.

Earlier, the same technique was used to fight pandemics such as SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and measles.

The secretary of health department also stated that personal protective equipment (PPEs) are being procured in sufficient numbers.

An official, who was a part of the meeting, as quoted in IE said, “The government has ordered 1.5 lakh PPE kits and secured a supply of 3,500 PPEs per day. A tender has also been finalised for another two lakh kits. An order has been placed for five lakh N95 masks. The government is receiving 25,000 masks per week for frontline health workers or health professionals. The department is providing these PPEs to all COVID hospitals as per their requirement.”