30,000 blood drives have been canceled due to coronavirus

The blood supply in the United States has dropped drastically after tens of thousands of blood drives nationwide have shut down amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The American Red Cross, which supplies nearly 40 percent of the blood in the U.S., confirmed to The Hill that over 30,000 planned blood drives have been canceled since March due to the outbreak. 

Despite businesses, schools and other groups that often host blood drives reopening as some restrictions are lifted across the country, many have told the Red Cross that they will still be unable to sponsor drives over concerns about the spread of the virus, The Wall Street Journal reported.

“We are preparing for the worst, that we will continue to see a lack of ability to do sponsored blood drives for at least 12 months,” Chris Hrouda, president of biomedical services at the American Red Cross, told the outlet.

Blood-service provider Vitalant confirmed that they have canceled 6,800 blood drives over the pandemic, according to the Journal. Blood collectors usually get between 60 percent and 80 percent of donations from drives.

The widespread cancellations have resulted in dire effects for the nation’s blood supply. Many of the nation’s blood banks have a one-day supply or less of Type O blood, the Journal reported. Blood banks usually have a three- to four-day supply on hand. 

The Red Cross has continued filling hospitals’ blood orders at 75 percent of planned supplies, Jessa Merrill, an American Red Cross spokeswoman, told the Journal. 

Blood collectors, banks and hospitals have also sought measures to draw people to donate blood. The Red Cross has given out $5 gift cards to Amazon for people who donate through the end of this month. Many donation centers have also offered to test blood from donors for coronavirus antibodies. 

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams called on healthy Americans to donate blood earlier this year while maintaining social distancing and other health measures to help protect against coronavirus. 

“You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement,” Adams told NBC.

The Hill has reached out to Vitalant for comment.