Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital is set to team up with the American Red Cross Thursday to host a blood drive after the coronavirus, COVID-19, led to the cancellation of multiple drives, causing a “severe” shortage of blood, officials said. 

Nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country and in Santa Clarita due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in some 86,000 fewer blood donations, said Christine Welch, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.   

On Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a blood drive is set to take place at the Henry Mayo Center, where individuals are encouraged to donate blood, according to hospital officials.  

An additional blood drive is set for April 1.

Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, according to the Red Cross

“All blood types are needed, but O- is the universal blood that is used during surgeries,” Welch said. 

Although the Red Cross has a shortage of blood, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital still has enough blood for several weeks; however, officials do not want that number to lower. 

“We do have an adequate amount of blood supply for the next six weeks,” said Mike Crawford, a spokesperson for the hospital.  

Officials with the Red Cross are reminding Santa Clarita residents that the coronavirus cannot be transferred by blood. 

However, for residents who donate blood and get ill a day or so after donating, they are encouraged to call a number that is set to be given at the drive. This will allow Red Cross officials to remove the person’s donated blood to prevent spreading illness. 

The Red Cross is taking extra steps to make sure donors and staff are healthy by checking their temperatures before entering a blood drive; providing hand sanitizer for use before the drive, as well as throughout the donation process; spacing beds, where possible, to follow social distancing practices between blood donors; and increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.

At each blood drive and donation center, Red Cross employees already follow safety protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection, including: wearing gloves and changing gloves with each donor; routinely wiping down donor-touched areas; using sterile collection sets for every donation; and preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub. 

The Henry Mayo Center is located at 23803 McBean Parkway in Valencia. 

To make an appointment to donate blood, click here, or call 800-733-2767. 

Ed. Note: The date of the blood drive has been updated.  

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