The American Red Cross has announced new safety protocols in light of concerns over the coronavirus. However, the organization says in South Dakota and other states, it’s still safe to give blood, if you’re healthy – and donations are needed to prevent any potential shortages.
Sue Thesenga with the Red Cross in the Minnesota region stresses these measures are precautions, and says it’s still safe for healthy individuals to donate blood.
With older people being asked to limit their travel and avoid crowds, Thesenga says blood supplies may be affected because this age group includes a lot of annual donors.
Thesenga says the restrictions include postponing donations for 28 days from people who have traveled to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. And anyone who has had contact with an infected person, or is suspected of having the virus themselves, is asked to postpone donating blood, as they would with any other illness.
The Red Cross also says there’s no evidence that the virus is passed through a blood transfusion. In addition to the donation restrictions, donors and staff members are being asked to use hand sanitizer before entering a blood drive.
The South Dakota Department of Health has launched a website with COVID-19 information, including number of cases found in the state, at www.covid.sd.gov.