Coronavirus outbreak causing shortage in blood donations; blood center calls for help

The Community Blood Center is encouraging people to donate blood and urging blood drive sponsors to keep the blood drives they have scheduled during the coronavirus outbreak.

MORE: Coronavirus: Nearly 100 go to UD Arena in first hours as Dayton begins drive-up testing

Some have canceled due to the fear associated with the coronavirus outbreak, wondering if donating blood would enhance the spread of the pandemic.

“Part of our challenge in maintaining the blood supply is maintaining donor confidence,” CBC spokesman Mark Pompilio told the Dayton Daily News. “We continue to emphasize that it is safe to donate blood and the blood supply is safe.”

The CBC says that there is no evidence and no reports of COVID-19 transmission through blood transfusion and there were no reported cases of transmission through transfusion in coronavirus outbreaks in the last two decades.

Though someone who comes to a blood drive may not be showing symptoms of infection, but is a carrier of infection, and might actually donate, there is no evidence this could result in transmission of the infection through transfusion according to the CBC.

“The central worry for many blood donors and blood drive sponsors is that a blood drive may gather people together and that an infected person may come in contact with others and transmit infection,” Pompilio said. “We emphasize that no person with any cough, cold or flu symptoms should come to a blood drive.

MORE: Ohioans 65+ told stay home unless “absolutely necessary”

Strong donor support kicked off a campaign this week to help maintain the blood supply. CBC totaled 104 donors, 88 red cell donations and 12 platelet and plasma.

But the concern remained that there were 46 blood drive cancellations, resulting in 2,000 projected units lost.

“You must be in good health to donate. Blood drives are not mass gatherings,” Pompilio said. “They are controlled events with sanitary safeguards and protocols in place to protect donors, staff and blood.”

The closing of all Ohio schools has also cancelled all scheduled high school blood drives and triggered cancellations by several corporate and business blood drive sponsors.

MORE: Coronavirus: Who is Dr. Amy Acton, leader of Ohio’s pandemic response?

CBC says it needs 300 donors per day to maintain the blood supply, but now faces multiple days with no blood drive activities due to cancellations.

The Donor Strong blood drive started Monday and will go through Sunday at the CBC Dayton Donor Center, 349 South Main St. with the choice of a free Kings Island ticket or Cinemark movie ticket for everyone who registers to donate.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Make an appointment to donate at www.DonorTime.com or call (937) 461-3220.

MORE: Mark your calendars! New dates announced for some events canceled due to coronavirus


Week of March 16 Community Blood Drives:

March 19

Blanchester Church of Christ, 922 Cherry St. Blanchester OH 3 pm – 7 pm

March 21

Lebanon Presbyterian Church, 123 North East St. Lebanon 7:30 am – 1 pm

Bellefontaine Moose Lodge, 2563 912 S. Detroit St. Bellefontaine 8 am – 12 pm

Do not be afraid to donate:

• The blood supply is safe, and it is safe to donate.

• Donors must be in good health. People with any cough or cold symptoms should not come to a blood drive.

• There are no reported cases of coronavirus transmission through blood transfusion.

• CBC is increasing hygienic and sanitary procedures.

• Blood drives are not mass gatherings. They are controlled events with infection safeguards to protect donors, staff, and blood products.

• Make an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call (937) 461-3220.

About the Author