BAHRAIN has received the second batch of donors for plasma therapy to treat Covid-19 patients.
National Taskforce for Combating Coronavirus (Covid-19) Monitoring Committee head Lieutenant Colonel Dr Manaf Al Qahtani thanked the donors and said the process has so far been “effective”.
He said there was optimism over the process that involves taking antibody-rich plasma from recovered coronavirus patients and injecting it into people who have severe cases of the disease.
He also explained that reasons for relapse were being studied.
“The virus is novel and the reasons for a person getting infected could be many and medical discussions are ongoing.
“We have some cases (relapses) and there could be two reasons – one, this could be a different strain as those coming from the US, China and Europe.
“We are doing genetic analysis and will soon identify which strain we have in Bahrain.
“The second reason could be that the human body did not create the antibody to protect itself from the virus.
“We are learning from this virus which is like a university.”
Bahrain will also hold its first medical discussion on an electronic platform on Covid-19 on Saturday with the participation of experts from the international community.
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