CPR’s Precautionary Actions in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

As of Saturday, May 1st, our Saskatoon plasma collection centre will be reopening. Two inspections were performed at our centre on April 22nd and April 29th, and the Saskatoon Health Authority’s Medical Officer of Health has deemed our facility to be safe. 

Precautionary Actions and Safety Measures

On top of our regular cleaning process, additional cleaning of our entire facility was performed on April 23rd. All CPR staff were tested for COVID-19 at least once (some were tested twice) and no new cases have been identified. As an added precaution, we decided to wait a few additional days to reopen our centre so that by the time our centre reopens there will be over 14 days since the last positive case at our centre was identified. The last positive case at our Saskatoon centre occurred on April 16th.

To ensure donor and staff safety while continuing to help create important life-saving therapies for patients who require them, we’ve also decided to introduce new measures. Donors will undergo additional screenings at the entrance of our Saskatoon centre, we’ve switched over to an electronic sign-in process for donors, and we’ve invested in upgraded PPE for our staff. 

How Donor Compensation and Status Will Be Impacted

Since our Saskatoon centre has been closed for seven days, many donors will lose their status and fall back to the Orange level. This is something that will automatically be done by our computerized system. We don’t want our donors to miss out on well-deserved compensation, so from Saturday, May 1st to Saturday, June 5th, all donors will receive $60 for their second donation of the week. This is the same amount of compensation you’d receive as a Gold level donor ($90 for the week for five weeks). During this time, donors will have to build back their status. Our regular compensation scheme will resume during the week of June 6th. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time and hope to see you at our Saskatoon centre soon. 

Temporary Closure of Saskatoon Center

During the week of April 12, COVID-19 was detected in individuals who were present in our Saskatoon facility on Quebec Avenue. We have been in contact with the Saskatchewan Health Authorities (SHA) and out of an abundance of caution the plasma collection centre will be closed for the rest of this week or until the Medical Officer of Health ensures the health and safety of our staff and donors. During this period all our staff members will be tested for COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, this is the first occurrence of this nature in any of our facilities. We will reopen when we are satisfied that it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we would like to reassure all of our donors who had appointments scheduled during this shut-down, that their status and bonuses will not be impacted by these cancelled appointments. We will also ensure that our staff do not suffer financially during this period. Plasma saves lives. The patients who need our products to survive are some of the most vulnerable in the world. We will work as hard as we can to reopen so that we can continue this important work together. Additional updates will be provided via email and on our website as more information becomes available. Thank you.

On April 21 the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) notified Canadian Plasma Resources that they have identified three (3) cases of positive COVID-19 among our employees in the past week. The individuals last worked at CPR’s Saskatoon location on April 10, 13 and 16 respectively. By definition when two or more individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 (for whom the Medical Health Officer has determined that transmission likely occurred within a common non-household setting) an outbreak exists.
Our staff follow CPR’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan which utilizes risk assessment published by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for the management of close contacts of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 occurring in Canadian Plasma Resources facilities. Following COVID-19 Infection Prevention Guidelines in our plan ensures that risk of contacts at CPR level will be assessed at either “Medium” or “low” levels which is essential for continuity of our operation and minimizing risks to staff and donors.  

Over the past months, CPR has been continually reviewing Public Health guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have been making appropriate changes to our Centres as needed, and the safety of our staff and Donors remains our top priority.

In both our Saskatoon and Moncton Centres, approved face coverings or masks are mandatory. We ask that Donors wear their masks properly and keep them on the entire time they are in the Centres for the safety of our staff and other Donors.

Our Centre in Moncton operates with a New Brunswick COVID-19 Operational Plan for Workplaces in effect. This written plan includes relevant safety and hygiene procedures, physical distancing requirements, and daily active screening for staff among other precautionary protocols.

CPR continues to monitor Public Health for the most up-to-date recommendations in order to provide the safest environment possible for everyone who visits our Centres.

Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve continually revised our policies to reflect the current status of the virus in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. As of Tuesday, September 1st, the following policies went into effect:

1. It is no longer necessary for donors to wear gloves when they visit our centres. We request that donors still use hand sanitizer when they enter our plasma donation centres. 
2. Saskatoon donors are STRONGLY recommended to use a face covering when they are in our centre. Wearing masks is still mandatory for plasma donors at our Moncton location. 
3. We ask that donors refrain from walking around, speaking with other donors, and talking on their phones when they are in our centres as an added safety measure.

Dear Plasma Donors in Moncton,
As per government order, New Brunswickers must wear a face covering to enter buildings open to the general public, starting Tuesday June 9th.
Please note as result it will be mandatory for all donors to wear a face covering in the CPR facilities.

Dear Valued Donors,

Effective today, CPR updated the eligibility criteria for plasma donors as follows: 

• If you have been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19, you will not able to donate for 28 days after complete resolution of symptoms
• If you have been in close contact with someone who has been ill with this virus, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after your last contact.
• If you have travelled internationally or inter-provincially within Canada, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after your return.
• If you have participated in a social or recreational gathering of more than 50 people or more, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after the gathering date.

Dear Valued Plasma Donors,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Watch this video to learn how to make a homemade mask: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=youtu.be

• We are asking donors & staff who have travelled internationally to any country, or inter-provincially within Canada to avoid the plasma donation centres for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
• ONLY prospective donors will be allowed in the center. No Children, family members or friends.
• Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer lockers to donors at this time. We kindly ask donors to keep this in mind. 
• Remove all communal objects such as magazines, snacks and energy bars throughout the center. Snacks and Bars will be with the reception staff (like juice boxes) and can be handed to donors upon request 

• Asking staff to stay home if they do not feel well.
• Asking staff who have travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
• NEW: Asking staff not to participate in any social or recreational gathering of more than 10 people or more.
• Asking staff to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and use approved hand sanitizer.
• Asking staff to follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands).
• Asking staff to avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
• NEW: Asking staff to wear protective gloves in all areas and all times at work.
• NEW: Asking staff in the donation room and screening area to wear masks and/or protective face shields while interacting with donors.  
• Asking staff to refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
• Asking staff not to be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.
• Asking staff to strengthen cleaning and sanitizing practices. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, staff have increased the frequency of cleaning in the waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. Staff have always disinfected equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. Staff are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure the health and safety of all donors.
• Asking staff to implement additional cleaning protocols for the reception and waiting areas as well as other frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
• Asking staff to follow more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them.
• NEW: Asking staff to practice social distancing at work and avoid all non-essential interactions with other staff.

For Donors

• Asking donors who have traveled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who traveled, not to other household members.
• NEW: Asking donors who have been in close contact (example: living with) with someone who has been ill with the COVID-19 to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their contact.
• NEW: Asking donors who have participated in any social or recreational gathering of more than 50 people or more to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their participation.
• Asking donors who have flu symptoms such as cough and fever, to book their appointment 7 days after cessation of symptoms.
• Asking donors to make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre.
• If wait times do happen to arise, donors might be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.
• Asking all donors to use our hand sanitizer stations conveniently placed at the entrance. We urge all visitors to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds regularly, as the CDC recommends.
• NEW: Asking donors to wear protective gloves provided to them at reception while they are in the centre.
• Restriction on the total number of people who can be in each enclosed area at the plasma centre (Moncton= No more than 10 people, Saskatoon= No more than 25 people)
• Asking donors to practice social distancing during their visit and Rearranging the operating donation beds that allows donors to be more than 2 meters away from each other in the donation room.      
• NEW: Asking donors to keep their face away (look the opposite side) when our phlebotomists are doing venipuncture.
• Reducing ratio of donors to staff so the plasma donation procedure will be smoother and the wait time in the centre will be reduced.
• Measure the temperature of every donor as part of the routine donor screening process.
• Assessing every donor for any changes in their health since their last donation.
• NEW: Asking donors to report a subsequent diagnosis of COVID-19 as soon as possible to the Canadian Plasma Resources.

For Staff

• Asking staff to stay home if they do not feel well.
• Asking staff who have travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
• NEW: Asking staff not to participate in any social or recreational gathering of more than 10 people or more.
• Asking staff to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and use approved hand sanitizer.
• Asking staff to follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands).
• Asking staff to avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
• NEW: Asking staff to wear protective gloves in all areas and all times at work.
• NEW: Asking staff in the donation room and screening area to wear masks and/or protective face shields while interacting with donors.  
• Asking staff to refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
• Asking staff not to be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.
• Asking staff to strengthen cleaning and sanitizing practices. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, staff have increased the frequency of cleaning in the waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. Staff have always disinfected equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. Staff are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure the health and safety of all donors.
• Asking staff to implement additional cleaning protocols for the reception and waiting areas as well as other frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
• Asking staff to follow more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them.
• NEW: Asking staff to practice social distancing at work and avoid all non-essential interactions with other staff.

Dear Valued Blood Plasma Donors; 

The Saskatchewan government added new measures to the state of emergency and as a result we’ve decided to introduce a new rule at our Saskatoon centre. Effective immediately, a maximum of 25 people will be permitted in each enclosed area of our blood establishment in Saskatoon.

To make this change as smooth as possible and eliminate wait times, we ask that donors make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre. If wait times do happen to arise while this rule is in place, donors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.

We are continually looking at ways to support our donors, staff, the community as well as those who are in need of plasma-derived products and will keep you updated as things evolve.

Dear Valued Donors,

As a result of the state of emergency that was announced by the Government of New Brunswick, we’ve decided to introduce a new rule at our Moncton centre. Going forward, a maximum of 10 people will be permitted in each enclosed area of our blood establishment in Moncton.

We’d like to thank all our donors for their patience and cooperation during this difficult time. The need for plasma never goes away for patients with rare and chronic conditions, and we are determined to continue to provide lifesaving therapies to them while also keeping our donors safe. 

To make this change as smooth as possible and eliminate wait times, we ask that donors make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre. If wait times do happen to arise while this rule is in place, donors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.

Canadian Plasma Resources is remaining open during the response to COVID-19 as we fall under the category of functioning critical infrastructure. Blood and plasma donation centres have a special responsibility to continue operations since people rely on these services to maintain their health. PM Trudeau outlined the importance of continuing to donate during the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday. As the only Health Canada Licensed Blood Establishment in the provinces of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan that remunerates donors for their time, we will be continuing to provide compensation during this time period. 

Dear Valued Plasma Donor,

We know you may have questions and concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our staff, donors, and community, Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) will continue to monitor the situation closely through information shared by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other government and health agencies around the world in order to keep everyone safe and well informed. Should the agency’s recommendations change we will act immediately to keep donors safe.

Health care and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are considered part of a nation’s critical infrastructure. Your plasma donation is essential to patients that rely on plasma-derived therapies. As such, we have decided to keep our CPR centres open for continued donations so we can continue to help deliver these life-saving therapies. We urge all healthy eligible donors to book and keep appointments. The need for plasma is constant. 

We have put measures in place to help ensure our donation centres remain islands of wellness within Canada’s health system. They are NOT places where sick people gather.

To give you peace of mind, we want to remind you that CPR has set the highest standard for cleanliness in the industry. Our staff is trained on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), proper lab hygiene, and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG). We have also implemented some other precautionary measurements in an effort to follow the necessary social distancing guidelines at our plasma centres:

• We’ve rearranged the operating donation beds to have one non-operating bed in between. Now donors will be more than 6 feet away as per recommendations.
• We’ve limited the number of individuals in the donor-specific areas of the building to below 50 persons throughout the day.
• We will have more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them. Additional cleaning protocols have also been implemented for the reception and waiting areas as well as other high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
• We’ve reduced the ratio of donors to staff so the plasma donation procedure will be smoother and the wait time in the centre will be reduced.

Additionally, the CPR staff will be following the procedures noted below:

• They will measure the temperature of every donor as part of the routine donor screening process.
• They will assess every donor for any changes in their health since their last donation.
• Our team members will stay home if they do not feel well or if they travelled internationally.
• Staff will wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds & use approved hand sanitizer.
• Proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands) will be followed.
• They will avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
• They will refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
• Staff members will not be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.

If you have any questions about donating, please contact centre management. 

Every day, thousands of people with rare and chronic diseases rely on the therapies produced from the plasma we collect. Thank you in advance for your continued support and ongoing donations. Now more than ever, we need your donations!

Dear Valued Plasma Donors,

We are writing to share our commitment to fighting COVID-19 and to assure all our stakeholders that we are following recommended safety protocols that have been provided by competent authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure health and safety of our donors and employees.

Given the strict screening procedures in place for plasma donors and the established processes of virus inactivation and removal during the manufacturing of plasma-derived products, COVID-19 is not a concern for the safety of plasma protein therapies manufactured from source plasma.

We are confident that COVID-19 will not significantly impact operations at CPR and our generous donors. However, as a measure of abundant caution, we have set a detailed business continuity plan to mitigate any risks:

1.       As of Mar 14th Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) is asking anyone who has travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.

2.     CPR is requesting donors with flu symptoms such as cough and fever to stay at home for 7 days after cessation of symptoms.

3.       We have strengthened our cleaning and sanitizing practices and are strictly implementing the CDC’s guidelines. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, we have increased the frequency of cleaning in our waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. We are and have always disinfected our equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. We are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure health and safety of all donors.

4.       As an additional precaution, we encourage all donors to use our hand sanitizer stations conveniently placed throughout the centre. We urge all visitors to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds regularly, as the CDC recommends.

We are continuously monitoring this situation and if there are any changes requiring further communication, we will be sure to inform you. Thank you for being part of the CPR donor family. Wishing you all good health.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach us at info@giveplasma.ca