Canadian Blood Services is making an urgent plea for donors to keep their appointments and for new ones to step forward.
CBS no longer conducts travelling clinics in northwestern Ontario but the Winnipeg centre is open and is accepting new and old donors.
Screening is in place and there is already an enhanced cleaning protocol in place.
Officials stress there is a shortage of blood right now.
CBS Spokesperson Peter MacDonald says the need for blood remains constant even during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“Hospital patients will need blood and blood products. Cancer treatments will continue. Surgeries, accidents, traumas will continue to occur. So it will be important to replenish our supply as blood is perishable.”
MacDonald say it’s completely safe to donate during these uneasy times.
He says all of the current evidence indicates the coronavirus is not something that is transmitted by blood or blood products.
