New Delhi, Jul 6 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged people to come forward and donate plasma to the Covid-19 positive patients, saying it is a selfless service to society.
Addressing a digital briefing, the CM said, 'Our team is calling up people requesting them to donate plasma, if you receive such a call please don't refuse. Hospitals should also give counselling to patients who have recovered and encourage them to donate plasma.'
“The number of people who need plasma is more than those coming forward to donate it. I urge all those who are eligible to come forward and donate plasma. It will not cause any pain or weakness. Those donating plasma are doing selfless service to society,” said Mr Kejriwal.
“Out of 25,000 active patients, 15,000 are being treated at home. Death rate has also come down. We have also started the country's first corona plasma bank. Our trials have shown that plasma therapy can help moderate patients improve significantly,” he said.
“Covid-19 cases have crossed one lakh mark in Delhi but there is no need to panic as around 72,000 people have also recovered. Around 20,000-24,000 Covid-19 tests are being conducted in Delhi every day now,” he added.
The plasma bank is set up at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) here.
There are strict eligibility guidelines and criteria over who can donate plasma. First, one must be tested positive for Corona. One must have fully recovered and must be free of Corona symptoms for 14 days. His/her age must be between 18-60 years.
One cannot donate plasma if - their weight is less than 50 kg. Women who have ever been pregnant; one who are diabetic on insulin; one whosd blood pressure is more than 140 and diastolic less than 60 or more than 90.
One cannot donate plasma if he/she have uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension with change in medication in last 28 days, if he/she are a Cancer Survivor, or if he/she have chronic kidney/heart/lung or liver disease.
The total number of coronavirus cases in India stands at 698,817 and 19,707 people have died from the disease so far. With 2,244 fresh infections, Delhi's tally of Covid-19 cases has crossed the 100,000-mark.
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