Blood Donors Still Needed In Howard County During Coronavirus

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The American Red Cross has reported a shortage of blood supplies across the country, including in Howard County. As of March 31, an estimated 12,000 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in about 350,000 fewer blood donations.

Misty L. Bruce, executive director of the Greater Chesapeake Chapter of the American Red Cross, told Patch that healthy individuals are encouraged to keep their scheduled appointments and make new ones to maintain a steady supply of blood as it is a permitted activity during the new coronavirus pandemic.

"Thanks to the many who gave blood and scheduled upcoming appointments, the American Red Cross has been able to meet immediate patient needs. During this uncertain time, we encourage individuals to keep scheduled blood donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic," Bruce told Patch.

Bruce said there is a particular ongoing need for platelet donations due to their short five-day shelf life. She also said that each Red Cross blood drive and donation center "follows the highest safety standards and infection control."

“During times like these, my team is fortunate to witness firsthand the generosity and humanity of people. The outpouring of offers to host blood drives has been heartwarming and currently we are several weeks out from being able to book new blood drives," Bruce told Patch. “Please continue to look for drives at redcrossblood.org and do not feel discouraged if you cannot donate immediately. COVID-19 does not have an expiration date and we will need to continue supporting one another.”

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Bruce emphasized that the American Red Cross is operating within Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautionary measures out of an abundance of caution, including:

• Checking temperatures of staff and donors before entering a drive to make sure they are healthy.
• Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering the drive, as well as throughout the donation process.
• Following social distancing practices between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas.
• Increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.
• Emphasizing the importance of appointments to help manage the flow of donors at drives.
• Staff wearing basic face masks

It’s important to emphasize that at each blood drive and donation center, Red Cross employees already follow thorough safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection.

• Standard safety protocols include:
  • Wearing gloves and changing gloves often
  • Routinely wiping down donor-touched areas
  • Using sterile collection sets for every donation, and
  • Preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

To donate, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Columbia Donation Center is located at 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, Ste. 400.

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