Bulletin 20-8

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COVID-19 Update

Following previous Bulletins on the subject of COVID-19 (Bulletin No.20-3 released January 31, 2020, and Bulletin No.20-7 released on February 25, 2020), the AATB Physicians Council has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Considering the latest developments, statistical data, and published studies, the AATB is providing the following updates to previously issued recommendations to tissue banks’ medical directors:

  • Travel within the last 28 days prior to donation to an area designated by the CDC as Alert Level 2 or Warning Level 3 may constitute grounds for exclusion of a deceased donor regardless of symptoms, or deferral of a living donor for as much time is necessary to ensure at least 28 consecutive days without symptoms1 following the last travel date to the designated area.
  • Fever with severe acute lower respiratory illness (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS) without alternative explanatory acceptable cause and without a negative SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test evaluation, may constitute grounds for exclusion of a deceased donor, or deferral of a living donor for as much time is necessary to ensure at least 28 consecutive days without these syndromic symptoms.
  • Close contact3 within the last 28 days prior to donation with a person who has confirmed COVID-19 infection or with a Person under Investigation2 (PUI) as defined by the CDC may constitute grounds for exclusion of a deceased donor, or a deferral of a living donor for as much time is necessary to ensure at least 28 consecutive days without symptoms1 following the contact.
  • Confirmed infection or designation of a Person under Investigation2 (PUI) as defined by the CDC within the last 28 days prior to donation may constitute grounds for exclusion of a deceased donor or deferral of a living donor for as much time is necessary to ensure at least 28 consecutive days without symptoms after the PUI status is lifted.  
  1. Symptoms: Refer to the CDC website - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
  2. Person under Investigation (PUI): Refer to CDC Criteria to Guide Evaluation of PUI for COVID-19 - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html
  3. Close Contact: Refer to the CDC website - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

Due to the dynamically changing outbreak geography, medical directors are advised to refer to the CDC on countries at risk for transmission and community spread and the latest travel advisories.

AATB will inform members if any material changes require additional measures. For additional information, please contact the AATB Executive Office, Dr. Roman Hitchev, AATB VP & Chief Science Officer.