CBS spokesperson says clinics still safe during pandemic

The Atlantic region’s director of donor relations for Canadian Blood Services says they always need blood, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter MacDonald says people started cancelling appointments recently, despite it still being safe to donate.

He says blood supplies could drop to dangerous levels at this rate.

MacDonald told The Hawk Morning Show they’re following NSHA guidelines, they’ve added extra cleaning procedures, and there’s an extra wellness checkpoint before people can even come into the clinics.

“Blood donor clinics and blood drives are a place where well people gather- the first question on our questionnaire at any point in time is ‘Are you well today?'” he said. “We’re ensuring that our space is as germ-free as can possibly be, so we are very much on top of COVID-19, but need to secure the safety and blood supply for hospital patients.”

MacDonald said COVID-19 isn’t spread by blood, but people shouldn’t come in if they don’t feel well.

He said they’re encouraging donors to make an appointment to keep numbers at their clinics low, and reduce any possible chance of transmission of COVID-19.

There’s a blood donation clinic at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Thursday.