Blood Donors In Riverside County Tested For COVID-19 Antibodies

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Beginning Monday and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus, including in Riverside County, it was announced.

SEE BELOW FOR LIST OF LOCAL ALL AMERICAN RED CROSS DONATION SITES

Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the 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.

A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.

Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

Blood drive safety precautions

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

There continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products. Blood donation sites:

Temecula
6/17/2020: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship, 34180 Rancho California Rd.
6/18/2020: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship, 34180 Rancho California Rd.
6/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Temecula Promenade, 40820 Winchester Rd.
6/26/2020: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Temecula Promenade, 40820 Winchester Rd.

Murrieta
6/19/2020: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Rancho Springs Medical Center, 25520 Medical Dr.
6/20/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Centerpoint Church, 24470 Washington Ave.

Menifee
6/24/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Revival Church, 29220 Scott Rd.
6/29/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Eagle Ridge Church, 25891 Holland Rd.

Corona
6/18/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Corona Elks Lodge 2045, 912 E 6th St.
6/23/2020: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Calvary Chapel Corona, 130 W Chase Dr.
6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Horsethief Canyon Ranch, 13289 Mountain Rd.
6/26/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Corona Regional Medical Center, 800 S Main St.
6/29/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Corona Regional Medical Center, 800 S Main St.

Hemet
6/24/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Community Christian Church, 41762 Stetson Ave.
6/29/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hemet San Jacinto Masonic Lodge 338, 150 Laursen St.

Moreno Valley
6/24/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Patrick Catholic Church, 10915 Pigeon Pass Rd.

Riverside
6/15/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5250 Central Ave.
6/17/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5950 Serendipity Rd.
6/18/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Simpson Strong-Tie, 12246 Holly St.
6/20/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Dr., Suite A
6/25/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City Church Riverside, 4620 Pine St.
6/25/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Red Cross Riverside Chapter, 6235 Rivercrest Dr., Suite A
6/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4375 Jackson St.

This article originally appeared on the Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch