Two new blood plasma testing sites have opened in New Jersey and may hold the key to fighting the coronavirus.

Health experts say that plasma from people who have had the virus and recovered may carry antibodies that could help others who are still sick. The new sites opened Monday at University Hospital in Newark and the American Red Cross Blood Center in Fairfield.

The northern part of New Jersey has been greatly impacted by the virus.

 

“We know there are a lot of patients and also potential donors further north in the state and we want to go where those folks are to make it possible to do the collections and get that plasma for those who need it,” says Red Cross Dr. David Moolten. “We’ve already distributed over 2,500 units of this plasma and even doing that, there are thousands of those who need the plasma here and everywhere.”

Gov. Phil Murphy said that 100 COVID-19 patients at University Hospital have been treated with the convalescent plasma and that they are showing promising signs.

 

“The more we can attack this virus, the more lives we can save,” Murphy said. “This is a partnership we’re extremely excited about and as we continue to follow the science, we know it’s a matter of time before we beat COVID-19.”

To be eligible to donate, a person must have had COVID-19 and have recovered. More information about donations can be found on the American Red Cross website.