New and regular blood donors are still coming in meaning the national inventory has a strong supply.
Canadian Blood Services are booking donors through appointments only during the pandemic.
Peter MacDonald of donor relations in Atlantic Canada said they have made many changes as a result of this situation including enhanced cleaning protocols at their clinics.
“We have moved our beds further apart to respect physical distancing. The good news is that our response since the middle of March has been really strong. Our donors have responded well,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said they are also taking part in a national clinical trial involving convalescent plasma and COVID-19.
“It refers to folks who have had COVID-19 and then potentially as a possible treatment option would donate. There are research teams in hospitals across the country involved in this. We are just one part of it,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald says the clinical application must go through Health Canada so there is a long way to go before it’s proven to be a safe and effective treatment for COVID-19 but it is being explored.
