by Kevin Zimmermann
UNDATED (WHBL) – Blood supplies could become a victim of coronavirus, and the American Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to give blood to help prevent that. Cold and flu season has already reduced the numbers of eligible donors and coronavirus could put further strains on badly needed supplies.
The Red Cross says donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood. There is no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus, including this coronavirus, from a transfusion.
Nonetheless, the Red Cross has implemented new blood donation deferrals out of an abundance of caution. Individuals are asked to postpone their donation for 28 days following travel to known hot spots such as Asia and Italy, or after contact with a person with known or suspected virus infection. The Red Cross is collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and industry partners to determine if additional intervention strategies are needed.
Meanwhile, you can donate this Thursday from 11:30 till 5:30 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plymouth, and on Friday from 10 till 3 at the Sheboygan Trades and Labor Hall. Blood drives can always be found at redcrossblood.org.
