Coronavirus

Acceptability at Recruitment

QUALIFIED

Acceptability at CT / Work-Up

QUALIFIED

Individual at Risk

Recipient

Explanation of Condition

Viral infection that can cause diseases in mammal and birds. In humans, common coronaviruses cause colds and respiratory tract infections but are not considered a risk for transfusion recipients. Since 2002 there have been outbreaks in humans of new strains of coronavirus, associated with severe pulmonary infections and mortality rates of 10-35% e.g. SARS and MERS. There is no evidence at present that coronaviruses can be transmitted by blood transfusion or tissue/cell transplantation and therefore these measures are precautionary. See also Coronavirus

Guidance

1) Donor with confirmed Coronavirus infection on diagnostic PCR test and history of one or more symptoms of Coronavirus infection as per the UK GOV definition (a new persistent cough; high temperature; loss of/change in normal sense of smell or taste): Must not donate within 3 months of resolution of symptoms. If less than 3 months have passed since resolution of symptoms and the transplant is urgent then refer to the designated MO for a risk assessment and consideration of proceeding sooner than 3 months.

2) Donor with confirmed Coronavirus infection on diagnostic PCR test and no history of symptoms of Coronavirus infection as per the UK GOV definition: Must not donate within 3 months of positive result by diagnostic test. If less than 3 months have passed since positive result by diagnostic test and the transplant is urgent then refer to the designated MO for a risk assessment and consideration of proceeding sooner than 3 months.

3) Donor with suspected Coronavirus infection ie. NO confirmation of infection on diagnostic PCR test, but does have a history of one or more symptoms suggestive of Coronavirus infection as per the UK GOV definition (a new persistent cough; high temperature; loss of/change in normal sense of smell or taste): If more than 14 days have passed since resolution of symptoms and the donor has been tested and advised that they do not have coronavirus infection then accept. If the donor has never been tested and never been advised that they do not have infection with Coronavirus then they must not donate within 3 months of resolution of symptoms. If less than 3 months have passed since of resolution of symptoms and the transplant is urgent then refer to the designated MO for a risk assessment and consideration of proceeding sooner than 3 months.

4) Donor is a contact of a confirmed or suspected case of Coronavirus infection as per definitions above: Must not donate if less than 28 days from last contact with the individual with confirmed or suspected Coronavirus infection. If less than 28 days have passed since last contact with the individual and the transplant is urgent then refer to the designated MO for a risk assessment and consideration of proceeding sooner than 28 days. Healthcare workers should be referred to the MO for an individual risk assessment.

5) Donor with a positive antibody test: This is managed case by case. Donors should be referred to the MO for an individual risk assessment.

Version

Version 1, Edition 1 Date of Last Update 20 February 2020