Canada Blood Services Appeals To Canadians To Give Blood

Canada Blood Services is looking for donors and appealing to Canadians who give blood to keep their appointments. They urge this to prevent shortages during the COVID-19 outbreak.  They are concerned about the cancellation of appointments in several Canadian cities.

Canadian Blood Services in Halifax says individuals and groups have started cancelling appointments in the wake of new protocols around social distancing related to COVID-19. Still, they're asking anyone who feels comfortable and healthy to donate. https://t.co/ktEEOfvpLN

— Michael Scott (@MichaelS794) March 17, 2020

They have implemented the following new measures:

• Anyone asked by public health to place themselves under observation or self-quarantine are not allowed to donate for 14 days from the date of their last contact with a case or suspected case of COVID-19.
• Anyone with a case or suspected case in their household cannot donate for 14 days after the infected person’s recovery.
• Anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are not allowed to donate for 56 days after full recovery from the infection.

Life still happens so still a need for blood donations. Oreos.Well done to the @CanadasLifeline team in #Halifax. Oreos. In and out in under an hour. Oreos. They have implemented social distancing throughout their process. Oreos. It’s in you to give..And they have: pic.twitter.com/r7MKGZ66mF

— Cavel Shebib (@TheChief7657) March 17, 2020

“Donating blood in Canada continues to be safe. Our robust cleaning and infection-control practices protect all donors, staff and volunteers. All prospective donors are also carefully screened for any symptoms of illness, including very mild ones. This screening occurs during both appointment booking and upon arrival at the donor centre or event. Those with any symptoms are not allowed to donate blood and are instructed not to visit,” they said in a statement.

To give blood you can visit here, or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).