Citing the China National Biotec Group, Chinese media reports say Chinese specialists have developed convalescent plasma to treat patients who are infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)..
The company said they have collected plasma from some recovered patients to prepare therapeutic products including convalescent plasma and immune globulin, according to Xinhua.
After strict blood biosafety tests, virus inactivation and antiviral activity tests, they have successfully developed convalescent plasma for clinical treatment and have used it to treat critically ill patients.
The company has reportedly set up a team to use special equipment to collect plasma from recovered patients in Wuhan since January 20.
Three critically ill patients in a hospital in the Jiangxia District of Wuhan received convalescent plasma treatment on February 8. Currently, more than 10 critically ill patients have received the treatment, according to the company.
According to clinical results, 12 to 24 hours after the patients received the treatment, they have shown improved clinical symptoms, with main inflammatory indexes decreased significantly and some key indexes such as blood oxygen saturation improving comprehensively.
Meanwhile, China Global Television Network, or CGTN, reports that a 96-year-old novel coronavirus patient was discharged from The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. She's also the oldest patient infected by the virus in east China's Zhejiang Province.
The patient was transferred from her local hospital to The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Because of her age, CT scan result and low oxygen saturation, she was immediately admitted into the ICU.
After antiviral treatments, hormones and high flux inhalation of oxygen, the patient reportedly showed signs of recovery. Her viral nucleic acid tests results came back negative twice, oxygen saturation and CT scan results improved and temperature turned normal, according to CGTN.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for global cooperation Virus has no boundaries: Wang Yi calls for global collaboration against COVID-19.
Wang Yi said in Berlin on February 13 that virus has no boundaries and the international community should work together to fight the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
"In this battle to safeguard human health, mutual understanding, trust and support across national borders matter the most," Wang stressed at a joint press conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas, according to CGTN.
A pneumonia outbreak was first reported in the city of Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province in December last year. Experts have attributed the outbreak to a novel coronavirus that has since spread across China and abroad.
