COvid-19: Blood donation is important during coronavirus

Due to an emergency caused by a new coronavirus COVID-19 reported National Transfusion Service (NTS) in Slovakia decrease in blood donation, reflected in a marked decrease in blood supply preparations. We have experienced a decrease in donors compared to the standard, i.e. the pre- pandemic outbreak - an average of 74% for the whole Slovak Republic informed the General Director of NTS SR Renáta Dund.

It is essential that blood donation during the coronavirus period continued as patients needed blood continuously. Blood Is irreplaceable liquid, can't be produced by any chemical way, we can only get it from voluntary blood donors appealed by Minister of Health Marek Krajčí.

NTS SR therefore acted immediately and called through the media to donate blood.

In the past week, 3688 donors arrived at our operations, which is 2801 donors more than a week before that said R. Dund.

We have 254 donors a week more than before the COVID-19 pandemic

In all health establishments throughout the territory of the Slovak Republic until further notice suspended planned healthcare, but still in hospitals acute patients who need blood-blood transfusion therapy. In particular oncology and haematological patients, trauma patients, trauma patients surgery, gynaecology and also patients with cardiovascular disease. V Last but not least, these are patients waiting for a transplant.

NTS SR in connection with the Pandemic COVID-19 introduced stricter sanitary and preventive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Donors may come to the sampling centre only with a protective cover or by covering your face. It is mandatory to disinfect hands, measure donor temperature and fill Checklist. In addition to the standard conditions, the donor must meet at this time other criteria, namely: not to be found abroad in the last 14 days, not to be in contact with a person who has returned from abroad in the last 14 days, is quarantined or has shown signs of respiratory disease or COVID-19 disease, and also do not have any in the last 14 days the following signs of respiratory disease such as dry cough, shortness of breath increased temperature, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, diarrhoea or vomiting. NTS SR at the collection sites introduced for donors at the same time time the time tables of the Slovak Republic the donor of blood may be ordered by telephone for the exact time. The intention of this measures are minimising the increased concentration of people in one place. Ordering is possible from 7.00-17.00 (list of telephone numbers is available on Website www.ntssr.sk). We'll manage the donors through the time frame. sufficient blood has been provided throughout the pandemic period, which may also be several months. We appeal to donors, we need you all the time, this challenge is the emergency challenge and is permanent said Director NTS SR R. Dund. Z to protect health, the transfusion service also cancels mobile donations; which represented up to 30% of the blood supply. NTS SR currently contact donors only by phone - canceled existing SMS calls because it is not possible to evaluate whether the donor is not quarantined. Donate blood is possible Monday through Friday during the sampling hours from 7.00 to 2 p.m. except Tuesday, when it is possible to come donate blood until 5 p.m. All current information about donating blood available on the website www.ntssr.sk

Measures related to blood processing (during the COVID-19 pandemic):

- red blood cells 14-day quarantine storage in cold storage, i.e. the donor is obliged to notify NTS SR within 14 days after collection worsening of your health, blood is then disposed of
- platelets 5 days or within 5 days, bacteria and viruses are eliminated by so-called pathogenic inactivation
- blood plasma It is subject to a 4-month quarantine (regardless of the current pandemic) COVID-19). NTS SR informed that blood plasma supply in Slovakia is currently sufficient.

Instructions for blood donors (general basic criteria):

• You must be 18 to 60 years old. If you are a regular donor, you may donate blood until you're 65. Donation frequency is 3 months for men and for women 4 months after the last collection.
• You must have a body weight of at least 50 kg.
• You must not be carriers of HIV (have AIDS)
• You cannot be after you have overcome hepatitis B and C.
• You cannot suffer from other severe and chronic diseases.

Do not donate blood in case (or permanently cannot donate blood):

• Drug use intravenously or intramuscularly now or in the past.
• Providing or receiving paid sexual services.
• Sex between men.
• A promiscuous way of life with frequent alternation of sexual partners.
• Use of anabolic steroids not prescribed by your doctor.
• Treatments blood clotting disorders with blood products.

Donating blood is not a way to test for carrying blood-transmitted diseases! Remember this before You decide to become a blood donor.

It is not appropriate for women to go donate blood during menstruation, immediately before or after.

If you are not sure if you are a suitable candidate for donate blood, call the blood clinic in advance and your consult your doctor.

Additional information:

Coronavirus is a respiratory (not a blood) infection. All Respiratory viruses are transmitted by the air route from human to human, so called. droplet transmission with primary respiratory tract affected. Transfer influenza (including SARS, MERS and other coronavirus) by blood transfusion so far in The world has not been recorded.