Tricare, a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System, mistakenly told more than 600,000 people they have had the China-originated novel coronavirus, asking the "COVID-19 survivors" to consider donating blood for research.
In a mass email sent on July 17,
more than 600,000 Tricare users in the military health system's East Region were asked to consider donating blood for research based on their supposed status as COVID-19 "survivors," Military.com reported last week. As noted in the report, "31,000 persons affiliated with the U.S. military have been diagnosed with the coronavirus," showing a clear error in the mass email.
"As a survivor of COVID-19, it's safe to donate whole blood or blood plasma, and your donation could help other COVID-19 patients," the email stated. "Your plasma likely has antibodies (or proteins) present that might help fight the coronavirus infection. Currently, there is no cure for COVID-19. However, there is information that suggests plasma from COVID-19 survivors, like you, might help some patients recover more quickly from COVID-19."
One beneficiary posted to Facebook about the email, highlighting that he was never tested for COVID despite being told he has had the virus by Tricare. "Just wondering [if] anybody [got] an email from Tricare saying since you are a COVID survivor, please donate your plasma.?? I have NOT been tested," the user posted to social media, according to the report. "Just remember all those people inputting data are human and make mistakes."
Comment: See also: