Red Cross worries it won't have enough blood donors amid coronavirus fears

The American Red Cross says it never has enough blood donors, but the coronavirus could turn concern into a crisis.

News 12 Staff

Mar 9, 2020, 9:41 PM

Updated 1,600 days ago

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The American Red Cross says it never has enough blood donors, but the coronavirus could turn concern into a crisis.
"If you are well, if you feel you can do it, please come out and donate," said Susan Sommers. "We need to have that blood on the shelves."
The problem is twofold: Fewer people are able to donate because they're sick or donors do not want to come in because they're concerned they'll get infected. Sommers says there's no need to worry about that and donating blood is safe.
For those fearing they could be exposed to coronavirus during the process, Sommers explains the area is sanitized, workers wear gloves and use different needles and tubing each time.
The Red Cross is putting out the call now because they have only a few days' worth of certain blood types.
Anyone who has traveled from China, Italy, South Korea or Iran, or who had the virus or has been in contact with someone who has it, is asked to wait 28 days before donating.
PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world
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