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Is it safe to leave the house to donate blood?

Stacy Rausch | Catholic Herald Production Coordinator

During the coronavirus pandemic, giving blood is more important than ever due to a severe blood shortage as blood drives are being canceled nationwide. ADOBESTOCK.COM

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Most local blood drives have been canceled as people are urged to
stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But health officials say the need
for blood is still great, and donation centers around the area remain open with
expanded hours — and increased safety precautions.

 

Inova Blood Donor Services said it is seeking blood donors to
sign up now for appointments six weeks or more in the future at locations in
Sterling, Annandale and Centreville. The Red Cross also lists donation sites by
location on its website.

 

“Due to COVID-19, cancellations of blood drives from high schools
to community to business partners have caused a critical shortage in the blood
supply in our area and throughout the United States,” Inova said in a March
news release. As of March 26, all of its blood drives are canceled, Inova said,
adding that more than 250 donors are needed each day to ensure adequate blood
supplies.

 

The American Red Cross notes on its website that blood donations
are “essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic
injuries,” which haven’t stopped during the current pandemic. “Donating blood
products is essential to community health and eligible donors are strongly
urged to donate during the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of our nation’s critical
infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued
shelter-in-place declarations.”

 

Inova said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the Food and Drug Administration both “have stated that blood donor centers
are safe and have universal precautions at all times.”

 

Inova has added additional hand sanitizing stations in donor
centers, and said beds, chairs and other surfaces are wiped down between
donors. Chairs in waiting areas have been spaced apart to allow for social
distancing.

 

As of March 26, Inova added that all staff in clinical areas are
wearing masks, staff members’ temperatures are taken twice a day, at the
beginning and middle of their shifts, and donor center schedules have been
adjusted to facilitate social distancing.

 

The Red Cross takes similar precautions and said there is no
evidence the coronavirus can be transmitted by blood transfusion.

 

Staff writer Leslie Miller contributed to this story.

 

 

Donate blood

 

To find a donation site near you, go to inovablood.org,
redcrossblood.org or call the American Red Cross, 1-800-733-2767.

 

 

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