SANBS encourages blood donations amid coronavirus concerns
"The added effects of Covid-19 could see the number of eligible donors decrease in the following few months.”
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has urged healthy donors to continue with blood donations, despite the coronavirus outbreak.
They said, in a statement: “The coronavirus cannot be transmitted through blood transfusion, as respiratory viruses are generally known not to be transmittable by donation or transfusion.
“Blood donor screening services, which include travel self-deferrals, were already in place to prevent individuals who may be at risk of clinical respiratory infections from donating blood. The SANBS does not test for Covid-19,” the statement read.
Healthy blood donors from all blood groups were being encouraged to continue donating blood to ensure bloodstock levels remained adequate across the country.
SANBS spokesperson Silungile Mlambo said: “We anticipate added pressure on the blood supply during Easter, Ramadan and the winter months.
SANBS has advised donors who suspect they might have contracted the virus to contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) hotline on 0800 029 999 and get tested.
Donors should take precautionary measures to ensure their safety and that of other citizens.
“If you are feeling unwell or exhibiting any clinical symptoms of infection, fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and shortness of breath, you are requested to delay donating blood until you are in good health,” Mlambo added.
Should you require any additional information or if you would like to find a blood donation clinic close to you contact 0800 1190 31 or visit www.sanbs.org.za
