Convalescent Plasma Is Safe for Treating COVID-19, Study Finds

'Early indicators suggest that transfusion of convalescent plasma is safe in hospitalized patients with COVID-19,' researchers said

COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor, Melissa Cruz, donates plasma at Bloodworks Northwest in Seattle, Wash., on April 17, 2020. Karen Ducey/Getty Images

A new study shows that an experimental procedure that uses convalescent plasma—essentially blood from recovered patients—to treat COVID-19 is safe.

Researchers from Mayo Clinic, Michigan State University, and Johns Hopkins University, tracked 5,000 patients who received convalescent plasma transfusions and found few side effects and low mortality in those receiving the experimental treatment.