RESIDENTS recovering from coronavirus are being urged to donate plasma – which could help save the life of others struck down by the virus.

NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people passing the 28-day Covid recovery mark to register as plasma donors.

People can only donate 28 days after they’ve recovered, so the number of potential donors is now at the highest ever level following the national record number of cases over the New Year.

More than 3,000 people have already registered to donate at the Poole donor centre convalescent plasma after having coronavirus.

The antibody-rich plasma of people who’ve had the disease might save the lives of people who struggle to develop their own immune response to the virus.

Professor Dave Roberts, associate medical director for Blood Donation, said: “More people than ever can help – the time to donate is now.

“We especially need donations from people in Dorset who’ve had hospital care. Men who had hospital care are around six times more likely to have the high antibody levels which might save lives.”

People can register to donate online at www.nhsbt.nhs.uk.