JPSO Volunteers for Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center/National Cancer Institute COVID-19 Research
Leslie Capo, Director of Information Services
Ten Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies volunteered to participate in COVID-19
research at LSU Health New Orleans and the National Institutes of Health by donating
blood samples in March. The deputies have recovered from infection with SARS-CoV-2,
the virus that causes COVID-19.
“This sample collection from COVID-19 convalescent patients is part of ongoing research
projects by several of our investigators and in part a collaboration with the Director
of the National Cancer Institute,” says Augusto Ochoa, MD, Director of LSU Health
New Orleans Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center. “Our researchers and those at the NCI
are trying to determine which type of immune response -- type of antibodies or immune
cells -- is important to kill the virus and cure the disease.“
LSU Health New Orleans is collecting and will process the samples in its laboratories.
“Part of the serum will be sent to the NCI, and the remainder will stay at LSU Health
New Orleans for the ongoing research,” adds Dr. Ochoa. “The NCI is also trying to
validate the many tests that are being offered to make sure the information provided
is accurate and can help guide the development of new vaccines or new treatments.“
"Those in the medical profession are on the front line of this pandemic, and a better
understanding of this disease will help us all fight it and beat it,” says Jefferson
Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto. “I am glad our deputies were able to help in any way,
and I am confident that the staff at the LSU Health Sciences Center and our other
area providers will do all they can to help the community through this time."