LOCAL NEWS: WA donors asked to give blood to stem shortage
by Joanne Rideout
The Washington State Department of Health is asking eligible donors to give blood. Growing concerns about COVID-19 are cancelling blood drives and causing a shortage of blood available for patients. The state health department says it’s a significant public health risk.
Experts say donating blood is a safe activity and there is no risk of contracting the coronavirus through the blood donation process. Officials caution people to please not donate if , in the last month, they have:
- Traveled to a country with a (COVID-19) outbreak.
- Lived with individuals diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19.
- Been diagnosed with or suspected of having the disease.