The South African National Blood Service says its covid-19 blood-plasma study, is now out of the blocks.

The study, in collaboration with the Western Cape Blood Service, will use convalescent plasma, collected from patients who recovered from Covid-19.

The plasma is introduced to the blood-stream of those still suffering from the virus, to see if patients, with moderate and severe forms of Covid-19, would have a better clinical outcome.

Lead consultant at the Blood Service, Dr. Karin van den Berg, says the first South African patient, hospitalised with Covid-19, has also been enrolled in the study.

Van de Berg says patients are monitored over a period of 28 days.

The Western Cape Blood Service is running a trial to test if convalescent plasma from a recovered #COVID19 patient can help patients who are currently struggling with the virus. https://t.co/3OVvtd0jqN

— Western Cape Blood Service (@The_WCBS) September 17, 2020