Recovered COVID-19 patients who will donate Plasma for those who still continue to combat the infectious and deadly virus will receive cash incentives.

Plasma Donor
(Photo : Reutersconnect)

Plasma is now considered in the country as one of the treatments after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave a green light. Plasma treatment is also used in other countries and is treated for those experiencing severe symptoms. 

This time, authorities are now looking for ways to entice those who recovered from the virus to donate plasma, and in return, they will be given cash incentives. According to Justin Rodriguez, the Precinct 2 commissioner in Bexar County, Texas, the county has secured $150,000.

The fund is from the federal government to fund a new stipend to encourage residents to donate plasma. Rodriguez said that those who will donate plasma would receive an amount between $50 to $100 per donation. It is believed that Plasma from COVID-19 recovered patients help to produce antibodies that fight the virus. 

The county decided to give cash incentives because out of 40,000 people who survived the infectious and deadly virus, only a few hundred donated their plasma. However, it is also important to note that plasma should be donated and not be sold to families who have members who tested positive for the virus. 

According to the county's health department, nearly 49,000 COVID-19 cases in the county, including San Antonio and 992, died due to the virus. The health department also noted that plasma is used as a treatment and not a cure. 

It can be remembered that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading infectious disease expert, and the National Institute of Health also warned that there is no sufficient study to prove that plasma treatment is effective for those who tested positive for the virus. 

Dr. Anthony Fauci and other health experts suggested that more studies be conducted to support the claim of plasma treatment. Moreover, some countries were already using plasma treatment and claimed that none of them died. 

Rodriguez also added that they are now finalizing the stipend for those who will donate their plasma. They are expecting that they will start paying plasma donors at the end of this month. He also said that those who have donated and can show any proof of donation would also be paid. 

The United States remains to have the highest COVID-19 infections and a death toll in the country. As of today, the country has recorded 6.7 million confirmed cases and with a death toll of over 198,000. They are followed by India, Brazil, Russia, and Peru, according to John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. 

Moreover, Texas is the second state in the country with the highest infection and first in terms of the death toll. Texas has recorded over 691,000 confirmed cases and more than 14,500 COVID-19 related deaths. They are just a little bit lower from California. 

The country continues to struggle in combating the infectious and deadly virus. Moreover, they are also worried that it will increase during the flu season. 

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