The National Blood Transfusion Department encourage healthy, eligible individuals to donate blood to maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in need. It is imperative that healthy donors continue to donate to maintain an adequate blood supply for the patients that rely on the generosity of donors every day. If the outbreak of coronavirus continues to spread, additional challenges may arise, which could potentially reduce the number of eligible donors. Since it is the blood already on the shelves that saves lives, maintaining a sufficient blood supply is essential to ensure patients in need receive optimal treatment.
So, we’re asking blood donors to keep donating as normal unless you have travelled to a coronavirus risk area, been in contact with or been infected by the virus. Please check the current guidelines on the link below before attending.
National Blood Transfusion Guidelines in relation to Covid-19
The department would also like you to know that Individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmitted by donation or transfusion.