Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Grants Emergency Use Authorization for Blood Plasma as COVID-19 Treatment

Steve Herman

   WHITE HOUSE - Calling it "a truly historic announcement," U.S.
   President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed a federal government emergency
   authorization for use of convalescent blood plasma that he declared
   would "save countless lives" of coronavirus patients.

   Trump and his health secretary, Alex Azar, at a briefing for reporters,
   noted a 35% decrease in mortality among those younger than 80 who were
   not on a respirator, a month after receiving the treatment early in the
   course of their disease.

   "We dream in drug development of something like a 35% mortality
   reduction," Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, said
   alongside the president. "This is a major advance in the treatment of
   patients."

.