Following a publication of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published online on 10 December 2020, the French Directorate General for Health requested an updated opinion from the French High Council for Public Health on the selection criteria to be implemented, and in particular the deferral periods for organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplant donors with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (Covid-19).

In the light of the latest European and international recommendations, the HCSP recommends reducing the deferral period from 28 to 14 days for donations from living donors with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection after resolution of symptoms OR contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected individual.

These donors must have tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by a sensitive molecular biology test (RT-PCR or TMA) from a nasal or oropharyngeal swab prior to donation.

In the event of a life-threatening emergency, this period may be shortened subject to a benefit-risk analysis taking into account the donor’s state of health and the negative result of a molecular test carried out prior to the donation.