First Case Revealing Intent of Group Plasma Donation
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Oncheon Church in Busan, which was a site of a small-scale COVID-19 cluster outbreak, has decided to donate plasma from 21 recovered patients for COVID-19 treatment. Oncheon Church is the first group to collectively express willingness to donate COVID-19 plasma.
According to an MBN report on the 8th, Oncheon Church was where the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the Busan area occurred on February 21. In particular, there were 32 confirmed cases related to this church, accounting for more than 20% of the total confirmed cases in Busan.
The plasma from recovered patients will be used to treat severe COVID-19 patients in the Busan area. It is also known to be used for developing treatments.
According to the report, Ms. Kim Jiseon, who was infected at the church and later recovered, has lived with a sense of indebtedness.
Ms. Kim, one of the plasma donors, said in an interview, "I hope my plasma can go somewhere and save even one life."
No Jeonggak, the senior pastor of Oncheon Church, said, "We were also taken aback by the cluster infection. However, we thought we should repay the debt with a heart of gratitude."
The city plans to focus on establishing a management system for plasma donors in preparation for the post-COVID era.
Meanwhile, although the number of recovered COVID-19 patients in Korea has exceeded 10,000, only 36 people have expressed willingness to donate plasma. At least plasma from 100 recovered patients is needed for the development of plasma treatments.
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