Therapy Areas: Oncology
Vitalant urges donors to alleviate critical blood shortage during COVID-19 pandemic
22 May 2020 -

Blood collector Vitalant reported on Thursday a critical shortage of blood as supplies have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since early March, shelter-in-place orders have resulted in a loss of 150,000 uncollected blood donations, while the resumption of surgeries and other medical procedures have caused a 25% increase in the need for blood in the past several weeks.

Calling on donors to alleviate the shortage, Vitalant said that all blood types are critically needed right now, with an especially high need for type O, A-negative and B-negative red blood cells. In addition, platelets are always needed by patients for cancer treatments, surgeries and emergencies. Because of a short shelf life of just five days, the supply of platelets must be continually replenished.

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