It is still safe to donate blood during the COVID-19 pandemic, the is reassuring the public in its latest campaign.
Urging the public to keep the blood donations coming, the NBTS said it is important to always maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need. Although some elective surgeries are being postponed, there are many patients who depend on transfusions every day.
Trying to answer some of the most frequently asked questions made by donors, the NBTS said COVID-19 continues to pose no known risk to individuals through the blood donation process or via blood transfusions.
In this regard, the National Blood Transfusion Service is taking all the necessary precautions to safeguard both blood donors and the professionals providing the service.
The measures currently being taken are as follows:
- Upon entry at the blood donation centre, basic health questions are asked to donors, and their body temperature is checked;
- Donors are then asked to sanitise their hands using an alcohol-based hand rub on site;
- A disposable face mask is provided to each donor who is asked to put it on prior to approaching the registration counter and asked to keep it on until the end of the donation;
- Attending staff will be wearing a mask or visor while doing a procedure;
- A distance of 2 metres between donors is observed at all times;
- All surfaces are thoroughly and frequently wiped down with an appropriate disinfectant; and couch disposable towels are changed between one donor and another;
- After the blood donation, donors are also asked to maintain social distancing at the canteen with only one donor per table;
- In order to limit the number of people coming into the donation centre, only donors may attend.
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