American Red Cross Testing all Blood Donations for COVID-19 Antibodies

For a limited time, the American Red Cross (redcross.org) is testing all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations, as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products. Antibody testing will indicate whether each donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory, where they will also undergo routine infectious-disease testing.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the test for emergency use, and the American Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness / diagnostic test. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity, and COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days via the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at www.RedCrossBlood.org.

Every day, the American Red Cross is active in the community, serving those in need. Visit redcross.org or call 1-(800) RED-CROSS to support Red Cross efforts by volunteering, donating financially, or giving blood.