Maybe I'm coming in mid-discussion but here's what
Post# of 72440
Red blood cells can not replicate on their own like other cells. They cannot independently synthesize proteins. Viruses do not infect red blood cells for purposes of replication. Unlike most other cells in the body, as red blood cells develop in bone marrow they lose their DNA. If a virus ends up inside a red blood cell, there is no replication mechanism to hijack and replicate itself.
Using the spike-like protein on its surface, the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to ACE2 prior to entry and infection of cells. ACE2 acts as a cellular receptor, a doorway, for the virus that causes COVID-19. Red blood cells do not have ACE-2 receptors on their surface.
In an effort to explain why a small percentage of patients suffer from critically low blood oxygen levels research has been done to identify alternate receptor sites on red blood cells. I have not found any additional support for COVID-19 infected red blood cells.