The Washington Post on Thursday reported that the American Red Cross is warning of a “severe” blood shortage nationally of “unprecedented levels” amid a tough battle against COVID-19.
Pampee Young, the Red Cross’s chief medical officer of biomedical services, was quoted as saying it, as more people undergo elective surgeries, organ transplants and require emergency care when they return to their pre-pandemic activities.
“We did not anticipate that it would be at this level.”
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According to the report, this year alone, the Red Cross said it has experienced a 10 per cent increase in red blood cell demand from hospital trauma centres compared with 2019.
It has also distributed about 75,000 more blood products than expected over the past three months.
“The rise in need and a slowdown in traditional collection methods such as donation drives at schools and offices, halted in large due to pandemic precautions, means supplies have dwindled to precariously low levels,’’ it reported. (Xinhua/NAN)
