A novel human coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has emerged from China in December 2019. It has spread worldwide, conforming to person-to-person transmission. Though the studies have found 15% to 40% of symptomatic patients had detectable RNA-emia, it is not known whether COVID-19 may be transmitted by blood transfusion. Also, according to the worldwide data, only less than 10% do annual blood donations. As Blood and blood components are essential inpatient management it is very important to know whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus is transfusion-transmitted.
Case report: A 33-year-old had donated a whole blood unit at a mobile blood donation campaign on 08/12/2020. The donor was healthy, asymptomatic, and no evidence to suspect COVID-19 infection at the time of donation. He had completed the routine pre-donation procedures including screening questionnaire, temperature check, and short medical review. It concluded without any post-donation complications.
On 19/12/2020, the donor was identified as a COVID-19 confirmed case. 11 days after the contact, all first contacts related to the blood transfusion process, remaining Fresh Frozen Plasma pack, and the recipient of red cell unit tested for COVID-19 PCR and all were non-reactive. None of the recipients developed any COVID-19 related symptoms post-transfusion
Conclusion: None of the recipients of donor diagnosed with COVID-19 following donation developed COVID-19 related symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 PCR and remaining blood products were also negative for COVID-19 PCR in this asymptomatic blood donor. Continuous data collection is needed to conclude the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through blood transfusion.