The Kentucky Blood Center is reporting critically low blood levels during the coronavirus pandemic. Center Vice President for External Relations Mandy Brajuha said COVID-19 patients typically don’t require large amounts of blood, but elective surgeries along with a variety of emergency procedures are tapping the available supply.
Brajuha said all the traditional health safety measures along with coronavirus preventive steps including masking and further separation of donor beds are in place. “Appointments are still preferred, however we will work in walk-ins as we can and right now we have great capacity to do that. I mean obviously if people start turning out in great numbers again, we may have to tighten that back up again,” said Brajuha.
Brajuha noted when the pandemic hit in March there was a huge outpouring of donors, but that surge has lessened significantly. She added blood drives for October are down about 45%. On a positive note, the Blood Center official said revised FDA guidelines relaxed deferrals for many potential donors like those who served in the military overseas.
Since other parts of the country are seeing the same donor reductions, she noted requesting blood from other areas is not as feasible. There are six blood centers in Kentucky located in Lexington, Louisville, Pikeville and Somerset.
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