San Antonio officials urge public to donate blood during coronavirus pandemic

Officials are calling on the public to donate blood as the coronavirus outbreak has caused blood drive cancellations and fewer donors.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center put out the call during a news conference Saturday, warning blood supplies are nearing critically low levels.

The blood bank has a supply for 2 to 2½ days, but as 50 blood drives have been canceled, stocks aren’t being replenished, said Elizabeth Waltman, chief operating officer at South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

The center typically has a three- to five-day supply of blood, she said.

It provides blood to more than 100 hospitals in 48 counties. Each day, the center needs to collect more than 400 units a day to meet normal demand, Waltman said.

Cancellations of blood drives over fears about the virus have meant 1,600 fewer units of blood are available to the center.

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“To be clear, every day patients need blood. These blood drive cancellations mean in very short order, blood inventories locally and nationally will be depleted,” Waltman said.

Officials stressed that neither blood donors nor patients are at risk of contracting the virus by giving or receiving blood.

The blood bank is anticipating greater demand in coming weeks. Without ample supply, elective surgeries would have to be canceled and blood may not be available for every patient in need, Waltman said.

San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the donation of blood is an essential city function.

“There are fewer better ways to help our community in need, to help your fellow neighbor, than giving blood,” he said Saturday.