Coronavirus: Local blood bank says it’s safe to donate blood

Blood is cooled in a transportation case at The American Red Cross donation center in Scranton, Pa., on Monday, March 9, 2020. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)

Blood is cooled in a transportation case at The American Red Cross donation center in Scranton, Pa., on Monday, March 9, 2020. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP)
Local News
By Bonnie Meibers
March 11, 2020
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As new coronavirus cases increase in the U.S., some blood donation centers have seen donations fall but the centers say it is safe to give blood and many patients still need it.

Mark Pompilio, spokesman for the Community Blood Center, said Dayton has not seen a shortage of donations or any changes in donations. But the Community Blood Center holds regularly scheduled blood drives at area colleges, businesses and senior center, which are changing their policies and operations to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

There has been no transmission of the virus through blood transfusions, Pompilio said.

RELATED: Dayton leaders react to Ohio’s first coronavirus cases

The Community Blood Center’s donation fundamentals will not change, he said. People who donate will still need to be well and all equipment used in the donation process will still be properly sanitized.

“The blood supply is safe. It is safe to donate. And it will remain important to donate; we will need the blood supply,” Pompilio said.

RELATED: UD suspends international travel as part of coronavirus response

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About the Author

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Bonnie Meibers is a general assignment reporter covering Greene County for the Dayton Daily News. She has been with the newspaper since July 2019.