COVID-19 scare drops Manatee’s blood supply, officials say. Donations are needed

Suncoast Blood Centers are reporting a significant drop in blood supplies due to the fear of coronavirus, according to Scott Bush, CEO of SunCoast Blood Centers.

“Many people do not realize that blood is perishable and has a relatively short shelf life,” Bush said in a prepared statement on Friday. “So it must continually be replenished. Blood products save lives every minute of every day, so every single blood donation is needed. For people that are blessed with good health and wellness, it becomes our responsibility to help those that are less fortunate by donating these life-giving blood components.”

Bush said blood drives make up 70 percent of the supply and people just aren’t coming out to the scheduled locations, resulting in a plummeting supply. Bush said, “There is only a two-day supply of blood for the community.”

Bush said donating blood is perfectly safe and there is no known risk of passing or getting the coronavirus through a blood transfusion.

For blood drive locations visit suncoastblood.org or call 866-97-BLOOD.

This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 1:03 PM.