Coronavirus: blood donors needed more than ever

Blood donors are being urged continue giving blood during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you have checked the coronavirus advice and are able to donate, there is no reason to postpone your appointment.

Please keep your appointment if you can, or make a new one for the future. Traveling to give blood is considered essential travel for the NHS as it helps meet the medical needs of vulnerable people. Hospitals need a regular blood supply now and in the coming weeks more than ever.

You will not get a coronavirus test by giving blood because there is no evidence of transmission through blood donation.

 

 

Can I donate?

You can donate if you are well and free of fever and respiratory symptoms. A cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared, but this won’t stop you donating if you are otherwise well.

If you have had coronavirus Infection you must wait for 14 days from when your symptoms settled.

If you have been in contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, you may donate as long as you have not been asked to isolate and you remain well. If you do donate it is very important you let us know if you develop symptoms of coronavirus at a later date.

If you are/have been in self-isolation or household isolation you must wait 14 days from the first day of isolation and 14 days from when your symptoms settle.

If you develop any symptoms of coronavirus infection after donating, please contact the NHS Give Blood service.

Those over the age of 70 and those in vulnerable health currently cannot donate due to due government guidelines.

More information about giving blood and coronavirus is available at:

• my.blood.co.uk/KnowledgeBase/Index/coronavirus

You can find upcoming blood donation sessions in the Rochdale borough here:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchtype=text&searchvalue=blood