The Red Cross said Monday that now all blood donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, for a limited time.
The American Red Cross said that all blood, platelet and plasma donations would be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, which would indicate whether or not a donor's immune system produced antibodies to fight off coronavirus.
There remains an urgent need for blood donations, the Red Cross says, as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments.
"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," said the Red Cross in a press release.
Antibody test results will be available within seven to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or redcrossblood.org.
Anyone who donates blood until June 30 will be given a $5 Amazon gift card.
To view blood donation opportunities in your area, click here.
