Blood donations dropping because of coronavirus

Blood donations are dropping because of the coronavirus, according to the American Red Cross.

Experts say people are worried about gathering in public and getting the virus from other people.

According to Vitalant, which was formerly Central Blood Bank, many blood donors are canceling appointments or deciding not to donate.

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The blood collection process is safe, Vitalant stressed, and its staff follows “rigorous safety and disinfection protocols at its blood drives and donation centers,” in addition to “vigorous FDA-mandated testing of all blood components donated.”

Officials do, however, ask that only healthy people donate blood.

People who are not healthy or have visited mainland China, South Korea, Iran or Italy within 28 days are being barred from donating. The same applies to people who have had a COVID-19 infection or have been exposed to someone suspected of having one.

“Vitalant and other blood centers nationwide are urging healthy individuals to donate blood -- and blood drive hosts to maintain scheduled blood drives -- to ensure patients have the lifesaving blood they need,” a news release from Vitalant said.

All blood types and components are needed, especially platelets and Type O blood, according to Vitalant. Type O-negative blood is the universal blood type.

Vitalant tries to maintain a four-day supply of blood, but officials said they are currently at less than half that for many blood types.

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