Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It’s Monday January 11th, and we’re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories. 

Today - Back in the spring, the pleas for donated plasma from coronavirus survivors were desperate, but now, 10 months into the pandemic, there is no evidence that it prevents hospitalized COVID-19 patients from getting worse. 

Before we begin, let’s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett’s book “Colorado Day by Day”:

Today, we take you back to January 11th, 1901 when Theodore Roosevelt left the comfortable life behind for an overland trek to Keystone Ranch, northwest of Meeker, for several weeks of big game hunting. Soon after the trip Roosevelt took office as vice president, but returned to Colorado many times to hunt. 

And now, our feature story. 

The blood bank at Children’s Hospital Colorado, was the first in the state to begin taking convalescent plasma in late March, and has suspended its collection. Denver Health also decided that the hospital will no longer transfuse its patients with the plasma to treat the coronavirus.

It was the miracle treatment that didn’t materialize.

Demand for convalescent plasma is now low in Colorado, in part because of declining cases of coronavirus, but also because of its lackluster performance in research studies across the globe. Several blood banks are still collecting it, but much of the plasma is shipped to other states where cases are spiking and doctors are still turning to it to help hospitalized patients.

Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown is joining today to tell us more. 

Jennifer, thanks so much for your time. Can you start by talking about what studies are showing about convalescent plasma?

Despite the poor performance, a handful of large-scale studies are still ongoing. Researchers are trying to pinpoint whether the plasma helps a specific subset of patients -- most likely patients who are at the beginning of their illness and not already hospitalized. 

A study published this week, for example, found that older adults who received a plasma transfusion within three days of getting coronavirus symptoms did not get as severely ill as those who did not. 

Another national study in the works is looking at whether convalescent plasma will benefit patients who show up in emergency rooms. The study involves 50 emergency departments across the country, including University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.

And thank you all for listening. Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:

Nearly 30,000 out-of-work Coloradans requested an unemployment payment on the state’s upgraded computer system by Sunday evening after a long-awaited technology update was completed.

The number of young people in Colorado’s youth corrections system because they killed someone jumped by 32% in the past fiscal year, an alarming increase that coincides with the system’s largest spike in youth violent crime in a decade. 

A grand jury investigation into the death of Elijah McClain has been opened by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.

For more information on all of these stories, visit our website, www.coloradosun.com. Now, a quick message from our editor.

The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.

Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you’ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don’t forget to tune in again tomorrow.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Morning, Colorado, and welcome to the Daily Sun-Up. It&rsquo;s Monday January 11th, and we&rsquo;re feeling lucky to start the day with you. Join us daily for an in-depth look at one of our top stories.&nbsp;
Today - Back in the spring, the pleas for donated plasma from coronavirus survivors were desperate, but now, 10 months into the pandemic, there is no evidence that it prevents hospitalized COVID-19 patients from getting worse.&nbsp;
Before we begin, let&rsquo;s go back in time with some Colorado history adapted from historian Derek R Everett&rsquo;s book &ldquo;Colorado Day by Day&rdquo;:
Today, we take you back to January 11th, 1901 when Theodore Roosevelt left the comfortable life behind for an overland trek to Keystone Ranch, northwest of Meeker, for several weeks of big game hunting. Soon after the trip Roosevelt took office as vice president, but returned to Colorado many times to hunt.&nbsp;
And now, our feature story.&nbsp;
The blood bank at Children&rsquo;s Hospital Colorado, was the<a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/04/07/convalescent-plasma-donations-for-covid-19-in-colorado/"> first in the state</a> to begin taking convalescent plasma in late March, and has suspended its collection. Denver Health also decided that the hospital will no longer transfuse its patients with the plasma to treat the coronavirus.
It was the miracle treatment that didn&rsquo;t materialize.
Demand for convalescent plasma is now low in Colorado, in part because of declining cases of coronavirus, but also because of its lackluster performance in research studies across the globe. Several blood banks are still collecting it, but much of the plasma is shipped to other states where cases are spiking and doctors are still turning to it to help hospitalized patients.
Colorado Sun reporter Jennifer Brown is joining today to tell us more.&nbsp;
Jennifer, thanks so much for your time. Can you start by talking about what studies are showing about convalescent plasma?
Despite the poor performance, a handful of large-scale studies are still ongoing. Researchers are trying to pinpoint whether the plasma helps a specific subset of patients -- most likely patients who are at the beginning of their illness and not already hospitalized.&nbsp;
A<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2033700"> study published this week</a>, for example, found that older adults who received a plasma transfusion within three days of getting coronavirus symptoms did not get as severely ill as those who did not.&nbsp;
Another national study in the works is looking at whether convalescent plasma will benefit patients who show up in emergency rooms. The<a href="https://siren.network/clinical-trials/c3po"> study</a> involves 50 emergency departments across the country, including University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora.
And thank you all for listening. Finally, here are a few stories you should know about today:
Nearly 30,000 out-of-work Coloradans requested an unemployment payment on the state&rsquo;s upgraded computer system by Sunday evening after a long-awaited technology update was completed.
The number of young people in Colorado&rsquo;s youth corrections system because they killed someone jumped by 32% in the past fiscal year, an alarming increase that coincides with the system&rsquo;s largest spike in youth violent crime in a decade.&nbsp;
A grand jury investigation into the death of Elijah McClain has been opened by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser.
For more information on all of these stories, visit our website,<a href="http://www.coloradosun.com/"> www.coloradosun.com</a>. Now, a quick message from our editor.
The Colorado Sun is non-partisan and completely independent. We're always dedicated to telling the in-depth stories we need today more than ever. And The Sun is supported by readers and listeners like you.
Right now, you can head to ColoradoSun.com and become a member. Starting at $5 per month for a basic membership and if you bump it up to $20 per month, you&rsquo;ll get access to our exclusive politics and outdoors newsletters. Thanks for starting your morning with us and don&rsquo;t forget to tune in again tomorrow.See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Welcome to The Colorado Sun's daily podcast, The Daily Sun-Up. Every day we’re sharing an in-depth look at one of our top stories, followed by a quick summary of important things happening in our state. For more visit us at https://coloradosun.com/.

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