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The NZ Blood Service is encouraging fit and healthy members of the community to give blood at Whangaparaoa Hall tomorrow.
Maintaining a good supply of blood is particularly important now, the service says, as an outbreak of Covid-19 could reduce the number of eligible donors.
The service has put in place strict measures to ensure its donor centres are safe. A collection last week in Orewa went well, with more than 200 people donating blood over two days.
Clinicians taking the blood will be fully equipped with hand sanitiser and personal protective equipment. Physical distancing of at least 2m between donors will be maintained at every step of the process.
Potential donors are asked to register before coming to the hall to give blood. This can be done on the NZ Blood website, www.nzblood.co.nz or by phoning 0800 448 325.
Everyone will be asked a range of questions regarding their health and recent travel, or contact with others to make sure they are eligible to donate.
It is always the case that donors must be healthy and not suffering from things like cold, flu or an upset stomach when giving blood.
On the NZ Blood website, its chief executive Sam Cliffe says there is no evidence that Covid-19 is transmissible by blood transfusion, and the service’s strict screening process means that people who are unwell cannot donate blood.
“Even though New Zealand has gone into lockdown the need for whole blood, plasma and platelet donations doesn’t stop,” Sam says.
The NZ Blood service will be at Whangaparaoa Hall, 719 Whangaparaoa Road, on Tuesday April 7 from 10am-4pm.
