Weather and COVID omicron variant causing 'detrimental impact' on blood supplies

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·2 min read
A member of the community gives blood at Blood Assurance donation center in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.
A member of the community gives blood at Blood Assurance donation center in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

Blood supply levels and blood collection drives experienced a sharp increase in cancellations due to recent winter weather, as well as the COVID-19 omicron variant, according to the Blood Assurance nonprofit.

The national nonprofit blood collection organization announced that the affect has caused significant shortages during its first week of January, which is also recognized as National Blood Donor Month.

Since Jan. 1, more than 40 businesses and organizations have reconsidered holding their planned mobile blood drives, according to a press release. The cancellations have resulted in a loss of nearly 700 units of blood that would have been used to treat patients at dozens of hospitals.

As of Wednesday, O-positive, A-positive, A-negative and B-negative blood has also dropped to less than a three-day supply. Blood Assurance leaders are also concerned that Thursday's expected winter storms will cause an additional detrimental impact to the supply.

“The need for blood never stops,” said Blood Assurance Chief Operating Officer Christopher Swafford. “Winter weather will impact road conditions, which could lead to increased blood usage due to traffic crashes and other traumas. We want to ensure that hospitals in this area have what they need to deal with any situation.”

Donated blood rests inside a refrigerator at the Blood Assurance donation center in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.
Donated blood rests inside a refrigerator at the Blood Assurance donation center in Columbia, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

In addition to the affects of winter weather, cancellations and donor no-shows are also occurring due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. However, Blood Assurance wants to assure would-be donors that the blood units will remain safe from the virus.

"Those worried about donating blood during the pandemic should know that the blood supply remains safe from Covid-19," the press release states. "There is no evidence that Covid-19 can be transmitted through blood, according to America’s Blood Centers. In addition, the FDA explicitly allows donors, who have received an authorized Covid-19 vaccine to donate blood, provided they are healthy and meet all other eligibility criteria for blood donation. Unvaccinated donors may also give."

As an added incentive to gain more donors, Blood Assurance is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card every day until Jan. 9 to all type-O donors who donate double red cells at any of its facilities and mobile units. O donors who give whole blood will also be eligible for a $10 Amazon gift card.

In Columbia, Blood Assurance's brick and mortar facility is located at 1412 Trotwood Ave. and can be contacted by calling (931) 548-8801.

Donors may also schedule an appointment at www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, as well as calling 1 (800) 962-0628 or texting BAGIVE to 999777. To be eligible for a donation, donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors are also asked to drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine and eat a meal rich in iron prior to donating.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Weather and COVID omicron variant causing 'detrimental impact' on blood supplies