Praiseldy Langi Sasongko

178 Prelude week, from March 23rd-27th, the flurry of activity continued, although slightly abated. While donors were still eager to donate, stock levels of blood had risen to secure levels (above 8 days), and fewer donations were needed. Despite the abundance of supply, demand for blood components decreased as hospitals postponed elective surgeries and cancelled cancer treatments. During this week, Sanquin announced its second initiative against COVID-19: collecting plasma from donors that had recovered from COVID-19 as a potential treatment for sick patients, I) in partnership with the municipal health organization and two university hospitals for two different multi-center clinical trials on direct transfusion of convalescent plasma, and II) for production of an anti-COVID-19 immunoglobulin. In the third week, from March 30th-April 3rd, more key events occurred. The first person donated convalescent plasma and the first unit was delivered. The Dutch Prime Minister and the Minister of Health announced the aforementioned maximum control measures to remain active until April 28th. In their speech, they mentioned Sanquin and thus publicized Sanquin’s third initiative: testing a broad range of healthcare workers (not limited to those with direct contact with hospital patients) for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as part of the national emergency plan to quadruple testing capabilities to 17,500 nationwide.3 This came at an opportune time, as Sanquin’s National Screening laboratory had already taken precautionary preparations to have sufficient resources for its PCR machinery, supplies and manpower to perform up to 3,600 tests daily. Additionally, as in-house research initiatives continued budding, an internal directing group was created that focused on clinical services and products for COVID-19 care, related to biobanking, laboratory-based immunology studies, clinical trials and pharmaceutical developments. With regard to supply, the blood bank diminished weekly planning from 10,000 to 6,700 donations. This was in response to decreased hospital demand and the implementation of the 1.5 meters distancing in all fixed and mobile locations, which reduced overall bed capacity by approximately 35%. While stocks of whole blood and platelets remained stable, generalized plasma collection (unrelated to the convalescent plasma) had dropped due to social distancing measures and reduced whole blood demand. Efforts were needed to re-establish plasma levels to meet demand. From April 6th-10th, the first phase of the immunity study began. Approximately 5,000 donors were tested, and initial results were communicated with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The blood bank accelerated its pilot plan to invite donors digitally, changing their historical habit of only using the postal service. Due to a continuation of diminished invitations, donations were right at the 7,000 mark. Hospital demand began increasing for the first time within this time frame, but supply was sufficient to fulfil it.

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