Recently, researchers at Johns Hopkins University have been advised by the government to use the plasma from covid-19 patients to protect health care workers. It is believed that the plasma found in survivors of covid virus could boost the immune system of the heroes in the front lines of the battle.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the tests and started clinical trials on Friday, April 3. A plasma re infusion is a common form of treatment for people who suffer uncontrollable bleeding, so scientists want to try to use plasma as both a preventative measure and a way to boost the immune systems of the victims. Blood banks are opening direct lines of contact to others and setting up shop all over.

“Dr. Casadevall and his colleagues from across Johns Hopkins and partners around the nation are working with creativity and persistence to face this disease head-on,” said Johns Hopkins President Ronald J. Daniels in a statement.

The new antibody tests can determine if the person was exposed to the virus or has covid-19. Yet, in this test at least, if positive it can mean that the person is now immune to the virus. “Antibody positivity likely means a person has recovered and can’t be reinfected. This test will be extremely valuable, especially for healthcare workers.” San Francisco and chief of the clinical chemistry and toxicology laboratories at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

Another part of what the FDA approved or was expanded access so that places that have blood donors can send their plasma to hospitals around the country. “As we wait for antivirals and vaccines to be developed and deployed, we need some sort of bridging therapy. So, the idea here is to identify individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, collect their plasma, make sure that it has the antibodies, and then use that plasma to treat acutely ill patients.” Elitza Theel, director of the Mayo Clinic laboratory testing COVID-19 antibody tests.